How to Choose the Right LED Grow Light:
What are LED Grow Lights?
LED grow lights are innovative lighting systems designed specifically for indoor horticulture and plant cultivation. Utilizing Light Emitting Diodes (LEDs), these advanced luminaires emit targeted wavelengths of light that cater to the specific needs of plants during various growth stages. LED grow lights are renowned for their energy efficiency, longer lifespan, and ability to produce a spectrum tailored to maximize photosynthesis and plant growth, offering precise control over light intensity and color temperature.
What to Consider When Looking for LED Grow Lights?
1. Light Spectrum - Look for a grow light that provides a full spectrum of light for your desired stages of plant growth and research
2. PAR Output - Photosynthetically Active Radiation (PAR) is the range of light wavelengths that plants use for photosynthesis. Choose a grow light with a high PAR output to ensure efficient photosynthesis.
3. Light Intensity (PPFD) - Photosynthetic Photon Flux Density (PPFD) measures the amount of light reaching the plant's surface. Consider the light's intensity and ensure it matches your plants' requirements at different growth stages.
4. Energy Efficiency - LED grow lights are more energy-efficient than traditional lighting systems. Look for lights with a high efficacy rating (μmol/J) to save on electricity costs.
5. Brand Reputation and Reviews - Research and choose a reputable brand known for producing quality LED grow lights. Read reviews and testimonials from other growers to gauge the performance and reliability of the product.
You can learn more about LED spectra and specifics by reading our ABCs of LEDs.
Considering the Right Lighting
Selecting an LED grow light can be a daunting task. The first thing to consider when selecting an LED grow light is to understand your goals. What does success look like? Are you growing for the largest crop weight? The highest secondary metabolite concentrations? With Valoya’s patented spectra, we can develop a lighting solution to meet your targets. Our research has led to our understanding of how spectrum can drive different responses in plant growth and secondary metabolite development.
The next thing to take into consideration is selecting a manufacturer. There are plenty of good lighting manufacturers. Find one that can suit your needs and work closely with them to ensure ample communication and responsivity. Be aware there are plenty of bad actors. There are several lighting suppliers with large marketing budgets who have very little cultivation experience among their staff. Others are solely chasing the green rush trying to build up a company in order to sell it. They are only interested in your money. Avoid these manufacturers at all costs, even though it may be hard to sift through these companies and find the right ones.
Verify all claims, especially the wild ones. Anyone can make up specifications and stories about performance. For commercial-grade lights consider checking out the DesignLights Consortium or DLC (http://designlights.org). They list all approved fixtures with their performance broken down in a standard format. They maintain minimum standards and update them from time to time as technology improves - most hobby lights are not listed.
If you are a large commercial operation, consider sending a fixture or two to an accredited testing lab - they are a simple internet search away. The cost is typically less than half the cost of an average commercial-grade fixture.