There are many factors to consider when researching and comparing LED grow lights from different manufacturers in the initial purchase phase. Factors that all affect the growing conditions and the number of lamps needed for optimal light distribution.
Always receive lighting plans before purchase
We recommend that you always get light plans from all the suppliers you are considering to make sure that the grow light has the desired effect and that you buy the correct number of lamps.
DGT by Senmatic’s lighting engineers and sales team always prepare light plans prior to selling LED to ensure that the effect, number and placement of lamps is correct – and thus also the accuracy and yield.
In light plans from DGT by Senmatic you can see the exact amount of light distributed on your area. This is calculated in µmol per square meter. This way we ensure that no plant ends up in an extra dark zone without the necessary light.
Important factors when comparing LED luminaires
In order to compare LED products from multiple suppliers on an objective and professional basis, there are several important factors to check and consider.
Spread and adjustability
Light distribution and lamp adjustability have a big impact on how profitable your investment in LED is. Both in the here and now, as it affects the number of lamps you need to buy to cover your area, but also in the longer term, as the two factors affect your plants’ growing conditions and thus also marketability and production times.
Scattering the light is one of the most important – if not the most important – factor when talking about LED. DGT by Senmatics LED is built to distribute the light evenly over the area covered by the luminaire. However, this is not necessarily the case for all LED lamps on the market, and you run the risk of the light being very bright right underneath the lamp and only emitting minimal light in the outer areas. If the light is not evenly distributed, the lamps need to be placed closer together. In concrete terms, this means that you have to buy more lamps from those suppliers – and probably more than you really need. You also run the risk that not all plants will receive the amount of light they need to grow. Always ask about the light distribution.
Adjustability is another important factor. Check if you have the ability to adjust the spectral distribution and light intensity. If you can adjust the light intensity, you can adapt the light to the growth stage of the plant, ensuring that the plant absorbs the light and that the plant growth benefits from it as much as possible. Adjusting the spectral distribution means you can ensure that plants receive the right amount of light in the correct color composition at each of the plant’s growth stages. When you adjust the spectral distribution, you set the percentage of blue and red light.
The effect of the lamps
When comparing LED products from multiple suppliers, you should first and foremost consider the relationship between price, number of diodes and power. The price of the lamp is most likely closely related to the given power and number of diodes – and do these cover your needs? If you still want to take a closer look at power, look specifically at wattage. Products with different wattages cannot be compared one-to-one. Just keep in mind that wattage alone doesn’t give you the full story when compared to price and diode composition.
Output from the diodes and output from the lamp
The output of the diodes is not the same as the output of the lamp. When the diode manufacturer states the output, it does not take into account that the diode is inserted into a lamp, which changes the ratio of the diode – often the light from the diode must shine through a different material, which naturally results in a loss in output. In DGT by Senmatics lamps, for example, there is plastic under the diode, as the plastic is part of the construction that ensures that the spectral distribution is correct. In addition, there is a natural loss in the power supply. It is estimated that the output from the diodes and the output from the lamps vary by 8-10%.
Be aware that information about the output can vary from manufacturer to manufacturer. Therefore, pay close attention to whether the supplier states the output directly from the diode or states what is actually emitted from the lamp. This type of information can typically be found on a data sheet – if it is not specified whether the figure covers one or the other, we encourage you to ask the retailer to compare.
Area and height
The closer the lamps are to the crops, the higher the light output will be. However, the light will then cover a smaller area. In a light plan, you can see how high the lamps hang above your particular surface and the exact calculations for light output over your cultures. To be able to compare power and number of lamps – and thus price – you need a lighting plan.
Installation costs
It’s also wise to consider the installation of the lamps you end up buying so that the cost of installation – either by the supplier or your local electrician – doesn’t add up to unforeseen high costs. Installation is often an optional extra. Consider whether your newly purchased lights can be mounted on existing tracks, whether the nursery needs to be emptied during installation, whether the job can be done on a ladder or if scaffolding is needed, and whether your current electrical installation is sufficient or requires major or minor adjustments.
Can the lights be connected to a control system?
Another thing to consider is whether the lights can be connected to a control system.
DGT by Senmatic provides 360-degree control of LED, irrigation and fertilizer as well as all climate factors via our climate computer and our control software SuperLink.
With a control system you connect all your climate elements to one central PC where you can easily set the different functions, monitor all the processes in your nursery and obtain historical data, for example in graphs. This facilitates the workflow in your nursery and gives you a golden opportunity to analyze whether the light – and irrigation, fertilizers and climate elements – are benefiting your production as desired.
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