Philips Horticulture Lighting

By integrating the Philips GrowWise Control System from Signify (Euronext: LIGHT) with Hoogendoorn’s IIVO climate computer, Huisman Chrysanten can control the intensity and spectrum of their Philips LEDs based on what their crop needs and other factors, such as energy prices. With the integration, the grower can use the climate computer to control light as well as the other climate settings. With the Philips Horticulture LEDs installed on an area of 4.8 hectares, Huisman, located in Maasdijk, the Netherlands, can dim the 200 μmol/m2/s installed light between 10 and 100% and also apply an end-of-the-day far-red treatment to give the chrysanthemums the length they need in winter. With the new installation, Huisman is able to reduce its energy consumption by 20%, while increasing the lighting level by almost 40%.

In 2022, 50% of Huisman Chrysanten's HPS installation was replaced with dimmable Philips GreenPower LED toplighting force modules. A year later, the other HPS fixtures were replaced with the newest dimmable Philips GreenPower toplighting force with a separate channel for far-red light.

Better matched​

“We were guided carefully throughout the entire process, from the purchase of our Philips Greenpower LED lights to the installation of the Philips GrowWise Control System and integration with our climate computer,” says partner Edwin Huisman about the important upgrades. “Our dimmable installation with far-red color controllability and the integration of the GrowWise control system in our climate computer gives us lots of flexibility. It enables us to better match the lighting to our current energy regime and the price fluctuations in energy from the grid. All the data streams now come together in our IIVO climate computer, where we choose the optimal settings for all aspects of cultivation, taking into account the weather forecast and the expected energy prices, among other things.”

Flexible adjustment​

Huisman Chrysanten meets their electricity needs largely from their own CHP, buying in a small proportion from the grid. “We can light up to 150 µmol/m2/s on CHP power alone,” the grower explains. “Depending on energy prices, we light between 150 and 200 µmol/m2/s. On average, we apply 170 μmol/m2/s, on which we based our plant density. When electricity is cheap in the morning hours, we buy it in and run the lights at full power. When electricity is expensive, we dim the system down to 150 µmol/m2/s, for example. By responding to conditions in this way, we can save money on running the lights while extracting maximum value from the natural gas and electricity we buy in.”

The settings are generally determined a few days beforehand, based on the expected solar radiation and energy prices. Huisman: "We don't want to have to constantly worry about all that. When the lights are on and it turns out to be sunnier than expected, we can always check whether the situation on the energy market makes it attractive to change course."

Far-red light​

With the Philips Horticulture LED lights purchased in 2023, Huisman Chrysanten has a separate channel to control his far-red LEDs. The grower gives the crop half an hour of far-red light at the end of the day to achieve the desired stem length. “This year, we’re only using far-red as an end-of-the-day treatment,” notes Edwin Huisman. “Next year, we also want to use far-red during the other lighting hours when the crop needs extra length. Our aim is to achieve the required stem length with the optimal spectrum.”

Intelligent lighting​

Huisman's intention makes it clear that dynamic lighting has a lot of potential. By allowing the dynamic, color-adjustable LED installation to respond to constantly changing environmental factors, the grower can optimize his crop better and reduce energy costs.

There is still a world of opportunities out there for growers to tap into. Intelligent lighting will enable growers to optimize their crop lighting like never before. With the purchase of color-adjustable LED lights in combination with the intelligent GrowWise Control System, the grower has an installation that’s ready for the future!

Signify (Euronext: LIGHT), the world leader in lighting, is proud to announce the launch of its latest innovation, the Philips GreenPower LED toplighting force 2.0 (TLF 2.0). Designed to further revolutionize horticultural grow lighting, this system offers more light, dynamic color control, high energy efficiency and optimal light uniformity, making it a perfect choice for professional growers aiming to optimize crop yield and quality and manage their energy consumption.

High light output combined with Quadro Beam lens for superior light uniformity​

The TLF 2.0 introduces new high light output options, up to 5150 µmol/s. With additional light in the right setting, you can reach higher yields and improve your business results. The newly developed Quadro beam lens ensures uniformity in all directions even at high light outputs. This enables fewer fixtures for the same surface, reducing installation costs and maximizing light efficiency. The rectangular beam shape provides uniform light distribution even at shorter distances to the head of the crop. The new flat glass cover makes cleaning extremely easy, so maintenance costs are optimized too.

Dynamic multi-channel color control​

Another standout feature of the TLF 2.0 is its multi-channel color controllability in combination with the Philips GrowWise control system. It allows growers to adjust the light spectrum dynamically for precision control in crop development and morphology and optimizes light output. Seamlessly integrated with existing climate computers, the tailored light recipes safeguards steering based on external factors like the amount of sunlight or fast changing energy prices to manage energy consumption and yield and adapt to the specific needs of the crop and its development stage. Growers can independently control far-red light for special end-of-day treatments, or switch to the most energy-efficient spectrum when less efficient parts of the spectrum are not required. This flexibility is particularly useful for crops that have highly variable light demands like cucumber, chrysanthemum or strawberries, or for young plant production where specific light conditions during the darker seasons are vital.

Wireless or wired control​

Next to the existing wired control, the Philips GreenPower LED toplighting force 2.0 allows for wireless control integration. In both cases, wired and wireless, no additional control cables are required, simplifying installation and maintenance. The wireless controls option offers control of each compartment in the greenhouse separately to match the growth phase of the crop. It also lowers installation costs for renovation of existing installations.

Elevated energy efficiency​

Operating with maximum plug power utilization options of 1040W, 1170W, or 1400W, the GreenPower LED toplighting force 2.0 achieves an impressive light output of up to 5150 µmol/s, unlocking unprecedented possibilities for light-plan designs, particularly for new installations. With an efficacy of up to 3.9 µmol/J at 100% light output. It is one of the most energy-efficient grow lights available. This efficiency not only reduces operational costs considerably, but also supports sustainable cultivation practices by minimizing energy consumption.

Signify (Euronext: LIGHT), the world leader in lighting has installed Philips GreenPower LED gridlighting at Balanced Los Angeles, a premium cannabis cultivator located in southern California. The Philips LED team provided Balanced Los Angeles with lighting and environmental strategies to help the Balanced team maximize their production, gain greater operational efficiency, reduce the production cost, and achieve a more consistent flower under the new gridlighting installation.

Reliable results with premium lighting

Like many legacy cannabis cultivators, Balanced Los Angeles used HID lighting throughout their grow facility. However, with a desire to increase yield per square foot and better manage energy costs, the company began exploring double rack growing, which led them to gridlighting.

Introduced in 2023, gridlighting, is designed to support indoor cannabis cultivators in optimizing their grow space through multi-tier growing. The gridlighting is designed with a high-quality polycarbonate lens covering, which provides exceptional light uniformity at low free space. Balanced Los Angeles experienced the benefits of this feature first hand, Augie Simoncici, Balanced Los Angeles head grower, explained, “We’ve noticed a better penetration to our lowers, seen a better terpene profile, the flavors are getting better and I’m seeing consistent flower from top to bottom.”

One first-hand benefit that Balanced Los Angeles experienced is that gridlighting emits most of their energy as growth-stimulating PAR light. Whereas more than 50% of the energy from HIDs is put out as heat, which makes it challenging to manage the grow climate and control energy usage. Simoncici, said, “with these Philips LEDs we use a lot less air conditioning to cool the rooms and less dehumidification.”

Gridlighting is dimmable with most used 0-10V controls, this allowed Simoncici to adjust light intensity at times during the grow cycle and hit his PPFD target. With better light penetration to the lower part of the cannabis plant, it allows the nug to grow bigger and get more color. “it’s reduced our small to big ratio, so the bag is a lot more consistent.” Simoncici added.

Comprehensive support

A team consisting of a Philips Horticulture Key Account Manager, a Plant Specialist, and an Application Engineer guided Balanced L.A. in the installation and transition from HID lighting to gridlighting. “LED works differently than HID lights than most growers are accustomed to. So, it’s not only about installing the light but also creating the customized environmental strategy that could deliver the best quality flower.”, Ted Fitzgerald, Plant Specialist Philips Horticulture Solutions, explains.

Simoncini said, “With the partnership between Balanced Los Angeles and the Philips Horticulture team, our results have been amazing, and their support has been tremendous. With the result from this installation, I believe this is just the beginning of something great.”

We're thrilled to announce that two domes at Space Farming Exhibition will feature our very own Philips GreenPower LED production modules!

From September 2023 to March 2024, Eindhoven will be the epicenter of innovation in agriculture as the Space Farming Exhibition by Next Nature takes center stage at the iconic Evoluon. The exhibition promises to challenge our thinking and showcase the potential future of farming.

Among the highlights are a series of domes dedicated to different spacefarming themes. The integration of space and farming at the Evoluon exhibition not only presents unique perspectives but also emphasizes the boundless possibilities of the future of farming.