Monday, October 25, 2010
The future of greenhouse lighting
Today I saw and learned a lot about the future of greenhouse production. One of topics that interests me most is the future of greenhouse lighting. I recently wrote an article that appeared in GPN magazine entitled "The future of greenhouse lighting". Cary Mitchell at Purdue provided some helpful input. Are there attributes that I didn't mention, or perhaps aspects that someone may disagree with?
The LEDs developed by Philips for photosynthetic lighting were very interesting -- read more in the newly created lighting forum. Because they emit relatively little heat, the LEDs can be placed very close to the leaves without causing leaf scorch. The lighting spectrum can be adjusted to the plant for economic efficiency. Of course, the LEDs come at a cost. The consensus in academia seems to be that (with some exceptions) we are 5 to 10 years away before LEDs will be economical in greenhouse crop production. In instances where electricity costs are high and lighting is used for a significant portion of the year, returns on investment may already be in the realm of possibility. Regardless, everyone seems to agree that LEDs are the future of greenhouse lighting. Philips speculates that over 75% of the greenhouse lighting in 2020 will be from LEDs.
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The potential of LED lights is mind-blowing and I'm gratified to know that at this very moment we have an international team of science professionals, each special in his own unique way and boasting a wide range of hobbies, touring the nation I prefer to call "Holland" in a fleet of not particularly impressive motor vehicles, leading mankind out of the dark age of incandescent & other lesser lighting technologies. I firmly believe that some day we may see LED lighting on the most advanced rocketships.
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