SANlight P4W LED-Exposure for greenhouses

Practice-oriented testimonial at the example of garden center Müller (Thüringen, Österreich)

The Company

Garden center Georg Müller is an ornamental plant growing company with a greenhouse area of about 5000 m², from that 3700 m² are dedicated to cultivation area. They mainly produce young plants (cutlings and seedlings) and seasonal products as raw and finished goods. Artificial exposure is used for young plant breeding and mother plant cultivation.

georg-mueller.org

Initial problem

The existing exposure system is based on HPS (High Pressure Sodium) lamps. Production volume and quality are limited by the weak efficiency and quality of the light. The existing electrical setup is working to it’s capacity. Improving the existing setup by the use of traditional lighting technology seems impossible.

New lighting solves the problem

SANlight P4W LED modules with standard broadband spectrum (S1) have been installed inside of the greenhouse. The modules are mounted at a distance of 1m above the cultivation area. One LED module illuminates an area of 4 m².

Results

Energy conservation of about 30% have been achieved, which positively affects the profitability of the entire business. Because of the very high electrical efficiency of the SANlight solutions, we can tremendously reduce the idle power, which can dramatically overload mains.

Compared to traditional lighting: Plants grown under the LED-System show a natural vegetation, the same way as being grown during summertime with natural sunlight. Generic colors of the plants are more significant. The cultivations generally shows a stronger grew with more Biomasse and a significantly better quality.

Mother plants create more shoots, which are more compact, and period of prosperity is reduced. Cuttings (scion) can be obtained much earlier, they are also stronger and of higher quality. They are even more meaningful, vital and resistant. HPS bulb exposure created much weaker plant tissue and significantly more losses.

For vegetables, the earlier blooming (shorter period of prosperity) has been standing out very positively. Therefore an unusual early production of snack veggies in top quality is possible. Before, this was only possible with a notable longer cultivation (lighting) time.

In summary I realised that the use of LED luminaires does create a lighting situation which were not possible to achieve during “the dark month” so far. The practical test has not just proved that LED-modules can substitute the existing HPS system without any disadvantages or weaker light output. They can create completely new possibilities! We’re cultivating numerous different types of cultures in our greenhouse, also those that are rarely cultivated in our latitudes. For many of these we will use SANlight LED light in the future to improve quality and blooming positively. Also arguments like improved light distribution and homogeneity and less shadows caused by a slim lamp-design are speaking for SANlight LED luminaires.

Georg MüllerGarden Center Müller – http://georg-mueller.org