NC State Updates Lighting in its Research Facilities
Photo: North Carolina State University
The North Carolina State University (NCSU) Energy Management department has partnered with the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences (CALS) on an energy efficiency project in the university’s greenhouses that is resulting in decreased energy use and emissions.
The installation of 486 LED Hi-Top grow lights have replaced legacy metal halide lighting that had been in use for more than 20 years. The LED lights are up to 60% more efficient, and this upgrade is expected to save nearly $130,000 in annual electric utility costs while reducing campus emissions by 1,193 metric tons of Carbon Dioxide (CO2) equivalent.
The new LED grow lights are used year-round to provide the sole source or supplemental light intensities the plants need to grow while keeping energy costs down. The project is made possible through advancements in horticultural lighting, control system upgrades, and innovations in the spectral science field that create significant opportunities for more efficient, economical, and sustainable growing operations — particularly during winter months where auxiliary lighting is heavily used.
NC State Energy Management is committed to reducing energy consumption on campus. Specialized lighting for plant growth becomes a significant target for energy savings applications by incorporating custom spectral and efficient LED technology that is safe for plant life while using less energy.
Learn more here.
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