| LED Grow Lights Comparison To HPS For Plant Growth |
Before SolarOasis introduced the first LED light designed specifically for plant growth in 2002, all measurements of
light energy were based on “White Light” products. Light comes in many colors (wavelengths). A typical plant light
such as HPS produces light wavelengths from 380nm (UV), up to and beyond 880nm (IR). Plants use certain groups
of light wavelengths from the Visible Light Spectrum (400nm-700nm). To the human eye, the wavelengths associated
with the colors green and yellow appear much brighter than the colors red and blue which are the primary colors used
by plants for photosynthesis.
HID, incandescent, and fluorescent lighting were all originally designed to light rooms. The manufacturers took these
bulbs and added bits of impurities to get more of the colors that plants need and labeled them “grow lights”. As much
as 82% of the light coming out of a traditional plant light is not absorbed by plants or is in the form of UV, or IR (heat).
HID lighting can reach temperatures of over fourteen hundred degrees Fahrenheit at the bulbs surface. This excess
heat is then ventilated and directly translates into wasted energy that is included in a lumen rating. Remember, up to
80% of the wattage used by a HPS/Metal Halide goes directly to waste heat, making HID lighting very costly to manage.
LED grow lights offered a unique opportunity to the designers. Instead of starting with an existing lamp designed to
light rooms for people- the LED grow lamp designer can select LEDs that generate exactly the colors of light needed to
target wavelengths that are needed for plant growth. Designers are able to add as many colors as they would like and
add them in their proper proportion. Finally, the individual LEDs can be arranged in whatever pattern desired to
create the final lamp design. By leaving out colors of light that are useful for human vision but not useful for plant
growth, incredible levels of efficiency are attained in comparison to other types of grow lights. Targeting 6 bands of
color proven by Scientists to be best absorbed and used for plant growth. Designed, engineered, and constructed in
the USA.
light energy were based on “White Light” products. Light comes in many colors (wavelengths). A typical plant light
such as HPS produces light wavelengths from 380nm (UV), up to and beyond 880nm (IR). Plants use certain groups
of light wavelengths from the Visible Light Spectrum (400nm-700nm). To the human eye, the wavelengths associated
with the colors green and yellow appear much brighter than the colors red and blue which are the primary colors used
by plants for photosynthesis.
HID, incandescent, and fluorescent lighting were all originally designed to light rooms. The manufacturers took these
bulbs and added bits of impurities to get more of the colors that plants need and labeled them “grow lights”. As much
as 82% of the light coming out of a traditional plant light is not absorbed by plants or is in the form of UV, or IR (heat).
HID lighting can reach temperatures of over fourteen hundred degrees Fahrenheit at the bulbs surface. This excess
heat is then ventilated and directly translates into wasted energy that is included in a lumen rating. Remember, up to
80% of the wattage used by a HPS/Metal Halide goes directly to waste heat, making HID lighting very costly to manage.
LED grow lights offered a unique opportunity to the designers. Instead of starting with an existing lamp designed to
light rooms for people- the LED grow lamp designer can select LEDs that generate exactly the colors of light needed to
target wavelengths that are needed for plant growth. Designers are able to add as many colors as they would like and
add them in their proper proportion. Finally, the individual LEDs can be arranged in whatever pattern desired to
create the final lamp design. By leaving out colors of light that are useful for human vision but not useful for plant
growth, incredible levels of efficiency are attained in comparison to other types of grow lights. Targeting 6 bands of
color proven by Scientists to be best absorbed and used for plant growth. Designed, engineered, and constructed in
the USA.
 |
| Super Starts Plant Tissue Culture Kit |
| Do you have questions about our products or suggestions on how we can be better? Use the form below to let us know. |
| Aqua-Bar Aquarium Lighting |
Let's Talk Shop!