LedRise LED Lighting Blog

Unlocking the Power of Light: Designing Efficient Horticulture LED Lighting Systems for Indoor Agriculture

Unlocking the Power of Light: Designing Efficient Horticulture LED Lighting Systems for Indoor Agriculture

Growing plants under artificial lighting in closed and fully controlled environments is a method of growing use and global impact.

Industrial scale indoor agriculture could become the main factor that keeps at bay famine and related conflicts. With increasing population, diminishing area of agricultural land, pollution, global warming and migration to grow plants in a reliable, predictable and efficient way will become even more important in the future.

Basic science concepts related to Horticulture lighting

A key factor in the success of indoor plant growth is the efficiency of the lighting system in the process of inducing plant growth, compared with sunlight. 

To build a very efficient lighting system some basic scientific concepts should be known.

Plants grow via a process called Photosynthesis that converts electromagnetic radiation – light – into chemical energy used for growth and development. The other ingredients needed are carbon dioxide (CO2), nutrients and water. The process itself is not particularly efficient, with only 4 to 6 percent of the absorbed radiation converted into chemical energy, but this is the engine that drives most life on the planet.

Photosynthesis and PAR radiation

The electromagnetic radiation required for Photosynthesis is defined as Photosynthetically active radiation (PAR), with the spectral range of 400 to 700 nanometers. Only radiation in the above interval can be used by photosynthetic organisms in the process of photosynthesis, to fix the carbon in CO2 into carbohydrates.

We should note that the electromagnetic radiation called visible light or simply light for a typical human eye has a spectral range from about 380 to 740 nanometers.

A common unit of measurement for Photosynthetically active radiation PAR is the photosynthetic photon flux (PPF), measured in units of moles per second. For many practical applications this unit is extended to PPFD, units of moles per second per square meter.

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Revolutionizing Indoor Lighting with SunLike Series LEDs - Enhancing Health, Well-being, and True Colors

Innovative SunLike natural, full spectrum LEDs by Seoul Semiconductor

Seoul Semiconductor’s SunLike Series LEDs are the world’s first natural spectrum LEDs, as they produce light that closely matches the spectrum of natural sunlight.

SunLike LED package design


This achievement comes from using a new LED architecture, with a purple emitter in combination with a red, green, and blue (RGB) phosphor mix, unlike conventional white LED that use a blue emitter and yellow phosphor.  By removing the blue LED light source and replacing it with a purple light LED chip, lighting technology is fundamentally transformed. For the first time it is possible to render colors accurately with very low energy use and positive effects on health. Compared with other LED lights, the new SunLike Series does not have a blue energy peak associated with eye discomfort and poor sleep patterns.

Furthermore, an ordinary LED spectrum is very different to sunlight, whereas SunLike’s spectrum is very similar. Thus, the light sources with SunLike Series LEDs will more accurately show the color of objects, as they would appear in natural sunlight. It's natural light spectra has color rendering of CRI-97 – close to CRI-100 of sunlight, and much higher than the CRI-80 of conventional LEDs.

SunLike LED techology from Seoul Semiconductor and Toshiba

The SunLike packaged LED technology from Seoul is based in part on a Toshiba phosphor technology called TRI-R. By using the TRI-R, the LEDs deliver a uniform and broad spectral power distribution (SPD) that is more like sunlight than are typical phosphor-converted white LEDs.

The applications of this new LED technology, with its diminished blue light peak, similar spectral curve to sunlight, accurate rendering of colors and reduced scattered reflection and glare are many, from Human Centric lighting for our home and office to commercial and art lighting.

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Exploring the Various Types of LED Strip Lighting Systems

Types of LED Strips explained

LED strip lighting systems, also known as LED tapes or LED ribbon lights, have become increasingly popular due to their versatility and energy efficiency. These lighting solutions come in various forms, including flexible LED strips, rigid LED strips, Zhaga LED strips, backlight LED strips, flexible backlight LED strips, and power LED strips. In this article, we will delve into the different types of LED strip lighting systems, discussing their unique features, advantages, and potential applications.

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Growing Plants Indoors with LumiBar LED Modules: The Guide to Efficient LED Horticultural Lighting Systems

Indoor plant cultivation in controlled environments under artificial lighting has gained immense popularity in recent years.

Growing plants in closed and fully controlled environments, under artificial lighting is method of growing popularity. There is also increasing competition to have results at a low cost and as fast as possible, thus the lighting system plays a crucial role.

Below you will find a quick guide how to build the most efficient lighting system.

1) Research, research

Understand what spectrum and intensity of light your plants need.

You can start by reading our detailed article about horticulture lighting here

2) Choose the right PPFD and light color for your plants

With the latest technology achievements, special or full spectrum white light LEDs are the most efficient and cost effective light sources for plant growth. With 3000K white color temperature you will have more pleasant looking plants while with 5000K you obtain faster growth.

With our Nichia 757 Rsp0a LEDs with white light for special spectrum for plant growth or full spectrum Nichia Optisolis CRI98 LEDs your plants will grow up to 50% more than conventional light, including standard white LEDs, a combination of red and blue LEDs or a fluorescent tube, for lower energy consumption.

Nichia LED for Horticulture

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Introducing the Nichia H6 Series LED Technology with Unparalleled Color Quality and Efficiency

NICHIA introduces the new H6 series that achieves a color quality better than traditional CRI 90 LEDs with R9 content greater than 50, while maintaining an efficacy better than many CRI 80 LEDs.

Nichia, a pioneer in the world of phosphors and LEDs, has commercialized the H6 Series by combining its expertise in these fields with more than 50 years of experience in "LIGHT" and a focus on the "quality of light". By utilizing a unique red narrow band phosphor technology and optimizing the light spectrum, Nichia has achieved a breakthrough in LED technology, surpassing the trade-off between efficacy and Color Rendering Index (CRI). This innovation marks the beginning of a new era of LED adoption, with an emphasis on the quality of light. The Nichia H6 Series portfolio spans from Mid Power to COB and can be employed in diverse applications such as shops, offices, homes, and healthcare facilities.

Over the last decade, there has been a significant shift from fluorescent to LED light sources; however, striking the right balance between color quality and luminous efficacy has remained an ongoing challenge. The accelerated adoption of LED lighting in Japan was propelled by the power shortage that followed the Great East Japan earthquake in 2011. The focus then turned to energy efficiency and luminous efficacy to overcome the power crisis. At the time, the technology could not deliver the high levels of luminous efficacy and color rendering found in tricolor fluorescent lamps. 

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The Evolution of the EU Energy Label: A Clearer System for Consumers and Manufacturers

The Evolution of the EU Energy Label: A Clearer System for Consumers and Manufacturers

The New EU Energy Label: Key Changes and Implications

The new energy labels apply to four product categories: fridges and freezers, dishwashers, washing machines, and television sets (and other external monitors). From September, they also apply to light bulbs and lamps with fixed light sources, including LED bulbs, LED strips, and LED fixtures.

The primary change in the new EU energy label is the return to a simpler A-G scale, replacing the previous A+, A++, and A+++ ratings, which had become increasingly common, particularly for LED lights. This change was implemented to ensure clarity for consumers and motivate businesses to innovate and develop more energy-efficient products, contributing to a reduction in greenhouse gas emissions.

The new A-G scale is stricter, with only a few products initially able to achieve the "A" rating. This approach leaves room for future advancements in energy efficiency. Consequently, the most energy-efficient products from the past will now typically receive "B", "C", or "D" ratings. The updated EU energy label for LED lights, compared to the old one, can be seen below:

The new A-G scale is stricter, with only a few products initially able to achieve the "A" rating

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Understanding the Color Rendering Index: A Comprehensive Guide to White Light Quality in Artificial Lighting

Understanding the Color Rendering Index: A Comprehensive Guide to White Light Quality in Artificial Lighting

White light is a combination of different wavelengths

To understand the CRI color rendering index, we need a brief explanation of how sunlight is perceived as white.

Glass prisms are an easy experiment to visualize the composition of sunlight. It shows white light is a combination of different wavelengths in the electromagnetic spectrum.

 

To have white light from an artificial source, a mix of different emitted wavelengths is required. However, a close analysis of the white light of artificial lighting shows that not all white light is the same.

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How to get the best results from LED Backlighting: A Comprehensive Guide

How to get the best results from LED Backlighting: A Comprehensive Guide

LED backlighting is a popular and versatile lighting solution that can be used in various applications, from linear lighting fixtures to luminous ceilings and illuminated signs. Achieving the perfect balance of total luminous flux and individual LED visibility is crucial for successful implementation. This article delves into the essential aspects of selecting and positioning LEDs for backlighting applications, ensuring optimal performance while meeting project requirements.

Understanding the Basics of LED Backlighting

LED backlighting involves placing light-emitting diodes (LEDs) behind a diffuse cover to create uniform and visually appealing illumination. Common applications include:

  1. Linear lighting fixtures: LED strips or tubes used for accent, task, or general lighting in residential or commercial spaces.
  2. Luminous ceilings: Large, uniformly lit surfaces that create a sense of spaciousness and enhance the aesthetics of interiors.
  3. Illuminated signs: LED backlighting is used to create vibrant and eye-catching signs for branding, advertising, or wayfinding.


 LED pitch and the distance between the LEDs’ emitting surfaces and the lamp cover.

 

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The Guide to Energy Efficient Lighting: Principles and Applications

The ABCs of LED energy efficencty

The ABCs of energy efficiency

A lighting installation can be energy efficient in three ways:

A) The light is emitted with the lowest possible energy consumption.

B) The total light output of the installation is at an optimum, as defined by its purpose or the activities it needs to support.

C) The composition of the white light is on tune with the sensitivity of our eyes.

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New Nichia NCSU434B High Radiant Flux & Density UV-C LED with 62mW

NICHIA, the world’s largest LED manufacturer and inventor of the high-brightness blue and white LED, has launched a high density UV-C LED that can help target the inactivation and sterilization of various bacteria and viruses. The new NCSU434B UV-C LED is only 3.5×3.5-mm and offers a high radiant flux of 62 mW operating from 350 mA. Nichia has also documented the germicidal efficacy.

A one-pass dosage of around 1 mJ/cm2 left only 4.5% of virus active. Upping that dosage to around 4 mJ/cm2 left the virus undetectable.

The ultraviolet (UV) performance in the germicidal UV-C band (100–280 nm) has been documented to deactivate including SARs-CoV-2 virus that causes COVID-19. The LED is suitable for usage in water, near-surface, and air disinfection systems, and is commercially available immediately.

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