New LED Requirements Coming Soon for California Growers

Controlled environment growers all over the state of California are trying to make sense of the possible new state LED requirements.

According to California LightWorks, the California Statewide Codes and Standards Enhancement (CASE) Program recently introduced a new proposal to the California Energy Commission. The report proposes that the 2022 Energy Code require indoor and greenhouse growers involved in new construction or major renovations or retrofits to existing facilities to use only LED grow lights.

The proposed submeasures apply to new construction, additions to facilities, alterations that change the occupancy classification of a building, and alterations that involve installing new dehumidification systems. More information is available here.

This proposal has inspired panic among growers who have used HPS lights for years. Without question, retrofitting an entire indoor grow facility represents a significant expense in both time and money.

But is it possible that both the environment and HID growers stand to benefit in the long term?

Here’s a closer look at the potential California LED requirements and what a change could mean for commercial growers.

Why Restrict Horticultural Lighting Options?

Simply put, CASE wants to set higher energy efficiency standards for California.

LED lamps are significantly more energy efficient than HID lamps. In many cases, a grower can cut their lighting energy consumption in half by switching to LEDs. They also stand to save money on cooling costs, as LED luminaires typically emit less heat.

Establishing California LED requirements would be in line with the Energy Commission’s stated commitment to energy innovation. Considering that lighting is the largest single energy expense for many cultivators, imagine the energy savings of a statewide transition to LEDs.

But Why Now?

One possibility is that LED lighting technology is far beyond where it was a few years ago. The field has advanced, while HID technology remains more or less the same. LEDs have become more efficient, more effective, and even more affordable. There is also more data supporting the successful use of LED lights in cultivation.

While there has long been a belief that HID light bulbs achieve higher yields, the CASE proposal references a dataset suggesting that “LED lighting leads to significantly higher yields per kilowatt-hour compared to HPS lighting.”

Why Some Growers are Worried About Possible California LED Requirements

As expected, there have been some negative reactions to the idea of California LED requirements. Growers who use HID systems are understandably overwhelmed by the costs and labor involved in switching to LEDs.

These professionals also express concern about the learning curve. While LEDs present the potential for higher yields and better flavor, growing with LEDs is not the same as growing with HPS bulbs.

In other words, HID growers have to become proficient LED growers quickly if they hope to maintain a consistent output.

Finally, some growers who hoped to eventually upgrade to LEDs worry about the loss of incentive programs.

If the state establishes California LED requirements, then switching to LEDs is no longer a decision to be rewarded. And many growers depend on rebates to make a costly transition more affordable.

All these concerns are understandable. But there are also reasons to believe California LED requirements could be a game-changer for commercial growers in the long term.

What are the Benefits of California LED Requirements?

Growers who use premium LED grow lights get a larger return on their investment than they would with HIDs. The best LED luminaires:

• Consume about half the energy of MH and HPS lights
• Emit significantly less heat
• Last up to five times longer
• Achieve higher yields
• Give growers more control over flavor and chemical profile

While short-term concerns are relevant — especially for small operations with limited budgets — you can’t ignore what lies ahead for growers who make the switch. These growers can expect to make more of a better product at a severely reduced cost of operation.

It’s also worth noting that LED technology is still advancing. With each passing season, growers benefit from new innovations like digital spectrum control and automatic light balancing.

These innovations create a wider range of options. Simpler models of high-end luminaires become more affordable even as they achieve quality results. Soon, growers will even have access to new tech that simplifies retrofitting and reduces the cost of installation.

LED grow lights benefit growers in more ways than ever before. Meanwhile, they’re becoming increasingly accessible to small budget operations.

What Growers Can Do to Prepare

At the time of this writing, nothing has been officially announced regarding California LED requirements. However, if you’d like to prepare for the possibility that the CASE proposal is adopted, the team at California LightWorks has a few suggestions.

First, start researching LED lighting systems now. Not all LEDs are created equal. You may find some low-cost LED grow lights. Often, these lamps are unreliable and ineffective. Take time to research manufacturers, specifications, and features.

Be cautious about further investment in HID lighting in California until these requirements are finalized. This could result in the total loss of your lighting investment.

Also, research current utility rebates available in California, which can be significant. These rebates may be a thing of the past if these new regulations are adopted. Taking the plunge now may result in significant savings.

The sooner you narrow down your options, the easier it will be to move forward when and if the time comes.

Reach out to growers you know who already use LED grow lights in their facilities. They can give you tips and point you in the right direction as you continue your own research.

Do the math. Get a sense of what it will actually cost to transition to an LED lighting system in your facility. It’s better to work with real numbers than to panic over theoretical expenses you have yet to calculate.

Don’t worry about wasting your time preparing for California LED requirements that are only hypothetical. This is the direction the industry is ultimately headed.

It might turn out that you don’t have to switch to LEDs by 2023. But even if you don’t, LED grow lights are the future of cultivation. There will either come a day when LEDs are required by law or you will find that you can no longer compete with outdated technology.

Read the complete California LightWorks post here.