PAR Test und PPFD Plots der SANlight EVO-Serie 1.5

When you open the SANlight EVO-Series packaging, the first thing you see, is our new inlay. The inlay contains the most important information about the EVO-Series. How to clean the light, which accessories are available, and also which model of the EVO-Series should be used in which tents. Our recommendations are based on the fact, that some models of the EVO-Series are optimised for the use in grow tents, while other models are clearly designed for individual cultivation areas or projects. In summary, you will find our recommendations for common tent sizes, as well as information on correct positioning, in the following videos:

All setups shown in these videos are designed for cultivating light-hungry short-day plants, without the use of CO2. The achived light intensities are close to, and sometimes slightly above, the maximum that can be processed by the plants. Experienced gardeners achieve maximum efficiency with this. The yield for the used power requirement is at the optimum.

For sure, every gardener is free to work with more light. If, for example, plants are grown under increased CO2 levels, they can process more light without being damaged. There are also recommendations for such conditions. You can find them here:

SANlight positioning guide for CO2 setups

Finally it should be said, that it’s the gardeners own chose which lighting setup should be used. By using several independent modules, almost any light value can be achieved. Basically we are convinced, that you will be satisfied with our recommendations.

Today, the measurement of PPFD plots is done by many manufacturers, but also by independent media. PPFD plots definitely have their justification. Unfortunately they are also very easy to manipulate and quite inaccurate. For example, the result of a measurement is strongly influenced by the resolution of the measurement grid. The tighter the grid, the better the comparison of different plots. Unfortunately, a measurement of e.g. 1.000 measurement points over one square metre is very time-consuming. That’s why we also provide you with the results from the simulation as a 3D plot.

Since the beginning of SANlight, our spectrum contains wavelengths outside the PAR range. In countless internal tests we have found, that e.g. Far Red has a positive effect on the harvest quantity. That’s why we evaluate the quantity in our PPFD plots with an extended measuring range from 380nm to 780nm, which includes UV and Far Red. Because of this, we refer to these as PPFDe plots, the “e” stands for the emission wavelength range.

Lighting solutions for optimal efficiency

A reasonable compromise between performance and economy is offered by our standard recommendations with an average of 900 μmol/m²/s light intensity. These light levels lead to economical production in your culture chamber and offer the perfect balance of ease of use, power consumption and yield.

The exception here is our recommendation for the 150×150 cm tent with 2x EVO 5-150 1.5. This recommendation is the replacement for the classic 1000 W HPS luminaire.

60cm x 60cm cultivation area

Positioning of the luminaires

For the 60cm x 60cm grow tent we recommend an EVO 3-60 1.5 light. The picture on the right shows how to hang the light for optimal illumination.

3D PPFDe plot from simulation

The figure on the right illustrates the PPFDe values as a three-dimensional plot. On the surface, the light is distributed very evenly with an average intensity of 940 µmol/m²/s. The maximum light intensities achieved are directly below the light with 1165 µmol/m²/s.

3D mountain of EVO 3-60 1.5

PPFDe Plot 60cm x 60cm

Here you can see the results of a real measurement. The EVO 3–60 1.5 was mounted in a grow box with white walls according to the specifications above. With an average of 940 µmol/m²/s PPFDe, it brings a lot of light onto the surface.

Power consumption………………..200 W
Average PPFDe…………………….940 µmol/m²/s
min. PPFDe…………………………..700 µmol/m²/s
max. PPFDe………………………….1164 µmol/m²/s
Homogeneity………………………….0,74

80cm x 80cm cultivation area

Positioning of the luminaires

Our recommendation for the 80cm x 80cm grow tent is an EVO 4-80 1.5 light. The picture to the right shows how to hang the light for optimal illumination.

3D PPFDe plot from simulation

The figure on the right illustrates the PPFDe values as a three-dimensional plot. On the surface, the light is distributed very evenly with an average intensity of 877µmol/m²/s. The maximum light intensities achieved are directly below the light with 1.254 µmol/m²/s

3D Mountain of EVO 4-80 1.5 in 80x80cm

PPFDe Plot 80cm x 80cm

Here you can see the results of a real measurement. The EVO 4-80 1.5 was mounted in a grow box with white walls according to the specifications above. With an average of 837 µmol/m²/s PPFDe, this setup can already be used in setups where CO2 is supplemented.

Power consumption………………..265 W
Average PPFDe…………………….837 µmol/m²/s
min. PPFDe…………………………..495 µmol/m²/s
max. PPFDe………………………….1254 µmol/m²/s
Homogeneity………………………….0,56

100cm x 100cm cultivation area

Positioning of the luminaires

Our recommendation for a 100cm x 100cm grow tent is two EVO 3-100 1.5 luminaires. The picture on the right shows how to hang the luminaires for optimal illumination.

3D PPFD Plot from the simulation

The illustration on the right shows the PPFDe values as a three-dimensional plot. The X and Y axes show the spatial coordinates. The Z axis illustrates the corresponding PPFDe values. It can be seen, that measured values > 900µmol/m²/s are mostly over the entire area present. The respective peaks are below the luminaires and reach approx 1155 µmol/m²/s.

3D Mountain of 2x EVO 3-100 1.5 in 100x100cm

PPFDe Plot 100cm x 100cm

Here you can see the results of a real measurement. The two EVO 3-100 1.5 were measured in a grow box with white walls according to the recommendations above. With around 1000 µmol/m²/s average PPFDe, this setup would also be reasonable to use with elevated CO2 levels.

Power consuption…………………..400 W
Average PPFDe…………………….1013 µmol/m²/s
min. PPFDe……………………………896 µmol/m²/s
max. PPFDe…………………………..1155 µmol/m²/s
Homogeneity…………………………..0,88

120cm x 120cm cultivation area

Positioning of the luminaires

Our recommendation for a 120cm x 120cm grow tent is two EVO 4-120 1.5 luminaires. To achieve optimum illumination of the area you can find the recommended positioning at the picture on the left.

3D PPFDe Plot from the simulation

Here you can see the three-dimensional PPFDe plot from the simulation. It is typical for the EVO-Series 1.5, that the maximum light values are reached under the luminaire. Nevertheless, the measured values between the luminaires are also > 900µmol/m²/s. The steeply sloping flanks show that the surface is also very well illuminated in the outer areas. All in all, the light distribution is extremely homogeneous and powerful.

3D Mountain of 2x EVO 4-120 1.5 in 120x120cm

PPFDe Plot 120cm x 120cm

Two pieces of the SANlight EVO 4-120 1.5 were measured in a grow box with white walls and hung up like mentioned above. It was measured with a spectroradiometer in a 10cm grid. The setup achieves a very homogeneous and powerful illumination. With an average of 926 µmol/m²/s, there is more than enough light available.

Power consumption…………………530 W
Average PPFDe……………………..926 µmol/m²/s
min. PPFDe……………………………580 µmol/m²/s
max. PPFDe…………………………..1205 µmol/m²/s
Homogeneity…………………………..0,63

150cm x 150cm cultivation area

Positioning of the luminaires

Certainly one of the most defensive setups we present, but still more than sufficient. Especially compared to typical Spider-Style luminaires, this setup offers a much more homogeneous light distribution with better PPFDe values. On the picture at the right you can find the recommended positioning.

3D PPFDe Plot from the simulation

Here you can see the three-dimensional PPFDe plot . All in all, the light distribution over the 2,25 m² area is extremely homogeneous.

3D Mountain of 2x EVO 5-150 1.5 in 150x150cm

PPFDe Plot 150cm x 150cm

With 300W power per square metre, the two EVO 5-150 1.5 perform remarkably well. Enough to replace a 1000 W HPS luminaire. However, to work with increased CO2 levels, we recommend a higher light intensity. The homogeneity of 0.63 is impressive. This means that an intensity of at least 715 µmol/m²/s is achieved on 63% of the illuminated area.

Power consumption…………………680 W
Average PPFDe……………………..715 µmol/m²/s
min. PPFDe……………………………447 µmol/m²/s
max. PPFDe…………………………..860 µmol/m²/s
Homogeneity…………………………..0,63

Lighting solutions for maximum yield

These recommendations are aimed at professionals and commercial growers who want to achieve the highest yield per plot in their growing chambers. These setups can also be used without supplying additional CO2 , but this requires the greatest horticultural care and optimal climatic conditions (VPD etc.).

If all parameters are correct, above-average yields per plot can be achieved with an average of 1200 μmol/m²/s.

80cm x 80cm cultivation area

Positioning of the luminaires

Our recommendation for the 80cm x 80cm grow tent is two EVO 3-80 1.5 lights. The picture to the right shows how to hang the lights for optimal illumination.

3D PPFDe plot from simulation

The figure on the right illustrates the PPFDe values as a three-dimensional plot. On the surface, the light is distributed very evenly with an average intensity of 1301 µmol/m²/s. The maximum light intensities achieved are directly below the light with 1633 µmol/m²/s.

3D Mountain of 2x EVO 3-80 1.5 in 80x80cm

PPFDe Plot 80cm x 80cm

Here you can see the results of a real measurement. The two EVO 3-80 1.5 were mounted in a grow box with white walls according to the specifications above. With an average of 1.241µmol/m²/s PPFDe this is a very powerful setup.

Power consumption………………..200 W
Average PPFDe…………………….1301 µmol/m²/s
min. PPFDe……………………………880 µmol/m²/s
max. PPFDe…………………………..1633 µmol/m²/s
Homogeneity…………………………..0,68

100cm x 100cm cultivation area

Positioning of the luminaires

If you want to work at the absolute maximum, we recommend a setup consisting of 2 x EVO 4-100 1.5 for the 100cm x 100cm tent. The luminaires should be positioned as shown on the picture at the left.

3D PPFDe Plot from the simulation

Here you can see the simulated three-dimensional PPFD plot.

3D Mountain of 2x EVO 4-100 1.5 in 100x100cm

PPFDe Plot 100cm x 100cm

On the left you can see the PPFDd plot which was measured in a 100cm x 100cm grow box. Even in the far corner almost 1000 µmol/m²/s could be achieved. Peak values of 1500 µmol/m²/sallow above-average yields. A lot of experience and perfect environmental conditions are required.

Power consumption…………………530 W
Average PPFDe……………………..1296 µmol/m²/s
min. PPFDe……………………………959 µmol/m²/s
max. PPFDe…………………………..1538 µmol/m²/s
Homogeneity…………………………..0,74

120cm x 120cm cultivation area

Positioning of the luminaires

Above-average exposure values can also be achieved with the SANlight EVO-Series 1.5 in a 120×120 tent. For this, two pieces of EVO 5-120 1.5 should be placed in the box as shown at the illustration on the right.

3D PPFDe Plot from the simulation

You can see the matching 3D plot at the illustration on the left.

3D Mountain of 2x EVO 5-120 1.5 in 120x120cm

PPFDe Plot 120cm x 120cm

A few years ago, 640W on 1.44m2 was the standard energy requirement to illuminate such a tent with HPS. Using two EVO 5-120 luminaires, the same power is used as then. However, the average PPFDe value is twice as high as with sodium vapour luminaires with the same power requirement.

Power consumption…………………680 W
Average PPFDe……………………..1158 µmol/m²/s
min. PPFDe……………………………596 µmol/m²/s
max. PPFDe…………………………..1512 µmol/m²/s
Homogeneity…………………………..0,52

150cm x 150cm cultivation area

Positioning of the luminaires

While two EVO 5-150 1.5 sufficiently illuminate a grow tent with 2,25m², the use of three such luminaires represents the extreme. The luminaires should be hung up as shown at the illustration. The higher spacing of the middle luminaire improves homogeneity.

3D PPFDe Plot from the simulation

The simulated 3D plot already shows, that this is a very powerful setup.

3D Mountain of 2x EVO 5-150 1.5 in 150x150cm

PPFDe Plot 150cm x 150cm

In this constellation, the EVO-Series 1.5 shows all its advantages compared to classic Spider-Style luminaires. Light values of ~830 µmol/m²/s in the outermost corner and a terrific light distribution let the heart of every grower beat faster. Currently by far the leading lighting system for 150cm x 150cm tents on the market.