Latest Trends in Horticultural Lighting
Traditional horticulture lighting often falls short, struggling with inefficiency and limited control over the light spectrum. For growers, this results in high operating costs and low efficiency. However, LED technology is transforming the landscape of agriculture. With their high efficiency and versatility, LED grow lights have gained popularity. They provide customizable spectra, dimmable light intensity, low heat, and reduced energy consumption to suit different plant species and growth stages.
LED lighting plays an important role in controlled environment agriculture. With the increasing popularity of controlled environment agriculture, staying abreast of the latest trends in lighting is significant. Innovative LED grow lights can offer a future where growers achieve higher levels of control, optimize plant growth, and maximize yields.
The rise of LED technology
The horticulture lighting market was valued at over USD 6.5 billion in 2023, reflecting its vital role in enhancing agricultural productivity. Key segments of this market include fluorescent, HID, and LED lighting technologies. In 2023, LEDs led the market, capturing over 30% of the share.
Why? Because LED lights are energy-efficient. They consume significantly less energy compared to traditional lighting options, reducing electricity costs. LEDs can also be tailored to emit specific wavelengths of light that are most beneficial for plant growth, enhancing photosynthesis and improving crop yield and quality. Additionally, LEDs generate less heat and have a longer lifespan than traditional lighting technologies.
The increasing demand for fresh food, driven by limited arable land and growing urbanization, is fueling the expansion of greenhouse and indoor farming. Consequently, the demand for horticultural lighting is rising significantly. The market is projected to grow at a CAGR of over 16.1% between 2024 and 2032, with a particularly strong increase in the requirement for LED grow lights.
DLC listed products
While LEDs are inherently efficient, it’s essential to use qualified LED grow lights that meet high efficacy standards, can withstand challenging growing conditions, and comply with horticultural benchmarks. This is where DLC-listed products come into play. The DesignLights Consortium (DLC) has established performance standards for these lights. In early 2020, there were fewer than 100 qualified LED products for horticulture. By early 2024, this number had risen to around 1,500.
At Atop, we prioritize quality and reliability in everything we do. Our robust designs are built to endure the demanding conditions of horticulture, and our products consistently achieve high efficacy, with no less than 2.3 µmol∙J–1. If you’re looking for LED products that are listed on the DLC horticultural lighting qualified product list, consider Atop Lighting.
Customization and variable spectrum
Customization and spectrum tuning are key trends in the horticultural lighting market. Common LED grow lights in the market consist of individual blue, white, and/or red LEDs. Full spectrum LED grow lights are major products designed to meet all needs. However, these lights may not meet the specific needs of all growers. Therefore, more and more products emphasize customization and variable spectrum.
Customization in horticultural lighting allows growers to adjust light intensity, duration, and spectrum to match the unique needs of different crops. Variable spectrum lighting takes this a step further by enabling adjustments to the light spectrum. This adaptive approach can mimic natural sunlight conditions, changing throughout the day or seasonally, to optimize plant health and productivity. It also opens up possibilities for research, allowing scientists to explore the effects of various light recipes on plant behavior.
UV and far-red lighting
Traditionally, LED horticultural lighting has focused on the light spectrum in the PAR range. However, natural light also contains UV and far-red light, which are essential for plants.
UV lighting, particularly in the UV-B range, can induce a variety of beneficial stress responses in plants, leading to increased production of flavonoids and other secondary metabolites that contribute to taste, color, and nutritional value. While excessive UV exposure can be harmful, controlled use in a horticultural setting can enhance plant quality and resilience to diseases.
On the other end of the spectrum, far-red lighting is pivotal in regulating plant processes such as shade avoidance, photoperiodic flowering, and stem elongation. Far-red wavelengths are particularly effective during the ‘Emerson effect,’ where they synergize with red light to drive photosynthesis more efficiently. This can lead to faster growth rates and improved biomass accumulation.
For these benefits, there is greater use of UV and far-red lighting in horticultural lighting. The increasing use of UV and far-red lighting provides an opportunity to improve plant health and productivity with a more holistic growing environment.
Smart control systems
Advancements in control systems have significantly enhanced the functionality of LED grow lights. Many LED grow lights are now dimmable and adjustable, allowing growers to modify light intensity, duration, and spectrum. Smart control systems enable automation based on plant species, growth stage, and time of day. This ensures plants receive the optimal light for photosynthesis while also minimizing energy waste.
Moreover, smart control systems extend beyond just lighting. By incorporating multiple sensors and data points, these systems can integrate lighting with other essential components such as HVAC systems. This integration creates a controlled environment agriculture setup, providing an optimal growing environment for plants.
Government initiatives and regulatory changes
The world of horticultural lighting isn’t just about cutting-edge technology—it’s also a field shaped by government initiatives and regulations.
The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) recently launched a $10 million funding program specifically for research on next-generation LEDs for controlled environment agriculture. This initiative directly supports lighting manufacturers in developing even more efficient and powerful lighting solutions.
The European Union (EU) is exploring the creation of a standardized labeling system for horticultural lighting products. This would not only benefit consumers by providing clear information about light performance and energy efficiency, but also encourage manufacturers to prioritize these aspects in their designs.
California recently implemented stricter light pollution control measures for greenhouses. While this might seem like a hurdle, it’s fostering innovation in lighting design. Here at Atop, we’re developing targeted spectrum LED fixtures that minimize light trespass while delivering the specific wavelengths plants need for growth.
These regulations serve as powerful catalysts for innovation, encouraging the development of the most advanced and sustainable horticultural lighting solutions possible.
