Cost-saving lighting strategies for greenhouses

Summary

The greenhouse industry provides locally-grown vegetables and ornamentals to consumers. For year-round production, it is often necessary to provide supplemental lighting during the winter months, when there is little sun light.

Situation

However, the electricity to provide this supplemental lighting is a major expense, up to 30% of total production cost. With small profit margins in this industry, the difference between profit and loss can depend on how well this supplemental lighting is managed.

Response

In collaboration with UGA engineers, we have developed hardware and software that control greenhouse lights in a way that assures that the light is provided in the most efficient way possible.

Impact

We estimated that this can reduce the overall cost of providing supplemental light by up to 40%. We are currently conducting trials in university greenhouses and a commercial greenhouse in Oglethorpe county to verify these electricity savings.

State Issue

Plant Production

Details

• Year: 2020
• Geographic Scope: National
• County: Clarke
• Location: College Station, Athens
• Program Areas:
  • Agriculture & Natural Resources