New Greenhouse Lighting System Designed to Offer Easy Switch From HPS to LEDs

Posted by Brian Sparks|January 24, 2019

Signify is looking to make it easier for greenhouse growers to make the switch from high-pressure sodium (HPS) lighting to light-emitting diodes (LEDs). The company recently unveiled its new concept for the Philips GreenPower LED toplighting compact. The compact, passively cooled LED toplighting provides a 1-to-1 replacement for HPS lighting that fits seamlessly in existing HPS connections and trellis constructions. The goal, according to the company, is to make it easier for growers to make the switch to LED lighting as a way to improve their crop results or reduce energy costs.

Compared to a 1,000-watt HPS light, the Philips GreenPower LED toplighting compact will produce the same amount of light, while using 40% less electricity and producing very little radiant heat. This gives growers more independent control over heat and light in their greenhouse climate. Compared to a 600-watt HPS light, the new energy efficient compact produces 80% more light, using the same amount of electricity.

“Many growers are looking for an easy way to step into LED lighting and generate the additional benefits of LEDs, including higher yield, better quality crop, and more predictability,” says Udo van Slooten, Business Leader Horticulture at Signify. “We have been working on a robust solution with minimal light interception and without the need for active cooling, so they can take advantage of all the benefits that LED toplighting offers for a whole range of light-loving crops.”

Easy Fit for Low Installation Costs

The new compact module is being developed to fit seamlessly in existing HPS connections and trellis constructions, so growers can easily switch from HPS lighting to LED toplighting or create a hybrid LED and HPS lighting system. The new concept has the potential to give growers the flexibility to increase light intensity for a specific crop or expand the illumination area, using the same or much less electricity.

The Philips GreenPower LED toplighting compact is expected to be commercially available in Fall 2019 as an extension to the existing Philips GreenPower LED toplighting program (Signify became the new company name of Philips Lighting as of May 16, 2018).