Vertical farming involves growing crops in vertically stacked layers rather than spreading them out horizontally across a field. It’s a way to use space efficiently. In addition, vertical farming allows you to grow your produce locally, cutting down on transportation costs and getting fresher produce onto the market faster.
LEDs (Light Emitting Diodes) have become the lighting solution of choice for modern vertical farming operations. LEDs shine more light where you want it, when you want it, without generating excess heat. Here’s what you need to know on why LEDs are the best choice for lighting vertical farms.
Why LEDs are the Best Vertical Farming Solution
LEDs are the best lights for vertical farming because they last longer and use less energy than other forms of lighting. By using LEDs, you can grow food faster with less energy than with other types of lighting.
In addition, LEDs are energy efficient and last longer than other types of lights. They don’t emit any heat. LEDs can last for up to 50,000 hours, meaning you can provide high-quality light for years without needing replacements.
LEDs come in multiple colors so you can match the spectrum that your plants need for optimal growth. LED lights are ideal for vertical farming because they can be precisely controlled and tuned to the specific needs of each crop.
The lights can turn on or off during different stages of growth and dim during others. LEDs also produce very little heat, which is appropriate for your plants. They also save on water usage since you can grow plants faster with LEDs.
How do LEDs make Vertical Farming more efficient?
Consistent light output over time
LEDs can produce the same light output for the same amount of power consumption, unlike HPS and MH lights. Therefore, LED lighting is ideal for vertical farming because it provides consistent light output, thus reducing the need for frequent lamp replacement.
Dimmable lights with variable frequencies are available
LEDs can be dimmed to give plants the right amount of light for a specific growth stage. LED contains no harmful substances. It is flexible, light, and can perform a variety of functions. Most modern LED fixtures contain over thirty LEDs, arranged either in a linear pattern or in clusters to mimic the look of conventional lighting sources.
Controlled Lighting and Limited Heat
By using specific LEDs, farmers can now control the proportion of different colors of light emitted by the lamps they use. This allows them to create lighting with optimal wavelengths sufficient for photosynthesis while keeping electricity consumption low. In addition, LEDs also let you control the light spectrum and color temperature to mimic natural conditions that occur during different times of the year.
Vertical Grow Lights
The lights are an array of LEDs, with each bulb being the size of a thumb. The bulbs are in a panel displayed on top of a stack of trays filled with plants. Each plant has its tube to deliver water and nutrients and take away the runoff.
The lights are set to automatically turn on and off, in tandem with outside weather. If it starts raining, they shut off, so they don’t flood the room with too much water from overhead sprinklers. If it’s sunny and cold outside, they turn on so light can warm up the inside air.
The lights respond to ambient light in the room. So when it’s dark outside or at night, the LED lamps dim to match the sunlight coming through windows or doors. The lights also have a sensor that measures how much water is in the soil of each plant.
The Benefits of LED Grow Lights
LED lights have various benefits that help create a better environment for indoor farming. First, LED lights are energy efficient. They require 75 percent less energy than traditional incandescent bulbs. Also, LED lights are low maintenance and last a lot longer than other types of lighting. In addition, LED lights produce little heat, which is a must for vertical farming. Finally, LEDs can help you grow herbs, vegetables, and fruits. Given that LED lights are low maintenance and energy-efficient, vertical farming can be an excellent way to grow food in urban areas without taking up too much space.
Following is a summary of LED benefits:
- LED grow lights are suitable for all kinds of plants.
- LEDs use less energy and are more efficient.
- You can easily control LEDs with a timer.
- LEDs are reliable and durable.
- LED light intensity profile prevents algae from growing and helps plants thrive.
- LED light intensity profile allows for control of plants.
Factors to Consider When Choosing LED Lighting Systems
The following are factors to consider when choosing a LED light for your indoor farm:
Lumens per watt
The lumen per watt rating tells you how much visible light is produced by a single watt of electrical power.
Wavelengths
Ensure your light source has wavelengths that match the photosynthetic peaks of your plants’ chlorophyll. Different wavelengths are absorbed and reflected by plants at different rates. It is, therefore, paramount to choose lights with specific wavelengths if you want to use them efficiently in photosynthesis.
Light output
The lamp’s output depends on the design and power of the lamp. Therefore, you can choose a lamp according to your needs. If you need more lighting, go for a more powerful lamp; otherwise, go for less powerful lamps that will not consume much power.
Conclusion
LEDs can disrupt the global food supply, and we’re now seeing examples of it. For example, vertical farming is a growing trend in the agricultural industry because it’s more efficient, sanitary and can be done in urban areas. In addition, LED lights are suitable for growing plants because they’re energy-efficient, easier on the plants, and produce a higher quality yield. As a result, more and more vertical farms use LEDs to grow crops, using a fraction of the energy other methods use.
What makes LED lights ideal for vertical farms are their environmentally-friendly qualities, distributed light patterns, and low heat output. In addition, LED lights provide a source of light for plants and control the temperature of rooms, thereby resulting in better quality plants. If done correctly, vertical farming could provide humanity with the ability to grow enough food indoors all year round.