V. Miller, Ph.D. in Economics, managing director of the UNION group of companies
During the regular seminar of greenhouse managers held in March 2015 in St. Petersburg, a greenhouse specialist from ZAO Agrofirma Vyborzhets was asked a question:
“Is it a myth or reality?”
According to Dr Miller from Union Power Star, many companies were waiting for “working” LEDs to be launched in the market. "There has been a lot of talk about the use of LEDs as greenhouse supplemental lighting sources, but this was merely a myth. However, this myth has now become a reality."
"Our lamps are unique and not comparable with the competitors," explained Dr Miller. "First of all, these lamps are the only lamps that have the LEDs on both sides and so can illuminate two rows with just one lamp."
"Secondly, they've got the best PPFD values (Photosynthetic Photon Flux Density) for photosynthesis, which is reflected on the fruits. They grow and ripen faster. The tests show an increase in yield up to 40 percent," said Dr Miller. "Our lamps consume four times less power compared with sodium vapor lamps, which are normally used in greenhouses and our lamps are less expensive."
Tested in Holland, Russia, Ukraine and Belarus
UnionPower Star 160W LED lamps manufactured by the UNION group of companies, were repeatedly tested in greenhouses. "To date, a total of 7 high-grade tests have been conducted since 2014. The lamps were tested in commercial greenhouses in Holland, Russia, Ukraine and Belarus. After a series of tests at a modern high-tech facility in 2012, the LED supplemental lighting was tried at the aforementioned greenhouses starting back in November 2014, explained Dr Miller.
What’s particularly good about LEDs?
"The results turned out to be impressive — there was an increase of 30-40 percent in yields of vegetables such as cucumbers, tomatoes, and peppers. The success was achieved due to the LEDs that were made to emit the optimal spectra of blue and red light for these vegetables. As of now, there is no other supplemental side lighting comparable to LED lamps in PPFD. The light-emitting diodes are also attractive for their lower power consumption. Compared to other types of supplemental lighting, LEDs can cut power consumption to 25 percent. Due to its efficiency, such equipment pays off in about a year, and the warranty period is five years," according to Dr Miller.
The LED crystal growing technology
LED is known for its durability — over 50,000 hours of continuous operation. The LED crystals are resistant to jolting, mechanical damage, and vibration, they are also environmentally friendly and contain no harmful substances such as mercury and phosphorus. The lamp itself is very easy to use — any greenhouse owner can mount it without difficulty, no special skills or tools are required. "It’s pleasing to know that our product with functionality developed to the minutest detail has become a unique innovation in the world," said Dr Miller. "LED lights for commercial greenhouses are the product of a joint German-Russian enterprise. Some people mistakenly think that this invention is Dutch. The LED crystal growing technology was developed at the facility of the UNION group."
Plans for the future
Unfortunately, this novelty cannot be introduced to all greenhouses at once. This is due to the rather low production capabilities. Crystals are grown in special reactors rather than in conventional facilities for regular LEDs. The company can provide output sufficient to cover 100 hectares of greenhouses per year.
"Our new product is the result of long-term work which combines achievements of agricultural science with the growing of special LED crystals. At this time we have achieved unprecedented success — lamps allow for a 40 percent increase in yield which is impossible to achieve by any other means", concludes Dr Miller.
Dr. Vaceslav Miller
UnionTrans GmbH / UNION POWER STAR
Garmischer Str. 4/V, 80339 München
Tel. +49 (0)89 51999 823
office@union-ps.com
www.union-ps.com