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Design parameters of flat-panel LED modules for plant lighting applications
E Ono1, J L Cuello, K A Jordan
1Department of Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering, The University of Arizona, Tucson 85721, USA. eiichi@u.arizona.edu
Life Support & Biosphere Science : International Journal of Earth Space
|September 7, 2001
Summary
New flat-panel LED modules offer improved light uniformity and higher photosynthetic photon flux (PPF) for plant growth applications compared to older semispherical designs. These modules provide adequate light levels and consistent distribution, overcoming previous limitations in LED plant lighting technology.
Area of Science:
- Horticultural Lighting
- Plant Physiology
- Solid-State Lighting Technology
Background:
- Semispherical light-emitting diodes (LEDs) have been used for plant growth but suffer from poor heat dissipation, light uniformity, and high assembly costs.
- Flat-panel LED modules represent a novel alternative to address these limitations in horticultural lighting.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the photosynthetic photon flux (PPF) levels and PPF distribution of red flat-panel LED modules for plant growth.
- To compare the performance of flat-panel LED modules against traditional semispherical LEDs.
Main Methods:
- Measurement of PPF levels and distribution for 172 x 27 mm red flat-panel LED modules at a 10 cm distance.
- Comparison of surface PPF and light uniformity between flat-panel and semispherical LEDs at similar operational currents.
Main Results:
- Tested red flat-panel LED modules achieved a mean PPF of approximately 111 micromoles m-2 s-1, suitable for photomixotrophic and photoautotrophic micropropagation.
- Flat-panel LEDs demonstrated a ~47% greater mean surface PPF than semispherical LEDs due to increased reflectance area.
- The modules showed good light uniformity, with 80% of the illuminated area receiving at least half of the maximum PPF, and consistent PPF distributions across modules.
Conclusions:
- Flat-panel LED modules offer significant advantages over semispherical LEDs for plant growth applications, including enhanced light output and uniformity.
- The consistent PPF distribution of flat-panel modules simplifies the replication of light environments, a key benefit over manually assembled arrays.