Lighting Challenges Meet LED Benefits

As cannabis cultivation advances, lighting-based challenges faced by commercial indoor and greenhouse growers using supplemental lighting grow more complex.

October 6, 2022

As cannabis cultivation advances, lighting-based challenges faced by commercial indoor and greenhouse growers using supplemental lighting grow more complex. The interconnectedness between growing environment components is evident in the top lighting-related challenges cited in this 2022 “State of the Cannabis Lighting Market” report.

For 22% of this year’s research participants, “managing energy costs” was their cultivation operation’s single greatest challenge when it comes to lighting–up 7 percentage points from its top-ranked spot last year. “Managing heat load” was named by 15% of participants, compared to 10% in 2021. “Ensuring consistent/even lighting across the crops” (13%), “adjusting light distance to the canopy” (10%) and “lighting’s impact on plant growth (yield, internodal spacing, etc.)” (10%) rounded out 2022’s top five greatest lighting-related cultivation challenges.

This year’s study reveals that perceptions about LED benefits correlate with cultivator concerns. When asked about the top three benefits to using LEDs, 83% of participants specified “energy efficiency.” More than half (55%) named “low heat.” Nearly one-third (31%) cited “dimming” to round out the top three benefits of using LEDs.

S6 Chart 2 Fmt — Base: Participants who grow cannabis for a commercial operation in an indoor facility or greenhouse with supplemental lighting: 87 Note: Percentages are rounded to nearest integer.

S6 Chart 3 Fmt — Base: Participants who grow cannabis commercially who use LED lighting for at least one growing stage: 89.

Retrofits and Rebate Awareness

For growers using non-LED lighting, many obstacles to implementing LEDs or retrofitting facilities are being overcome. New lighting technologies are making 1:1 retrofits a reality, while fixture costs and solid ROI put change within reach. Still, nearly one-third (31%) of commercial indoor and greenhouse growers using non-LED lighting aren’t exploring retrofits.

For those considering a switch to LEDs, factors driving purchasing decisions provide added insights. “Lower power usage” (46%) and “cost of retrofit” (42%) were the two most common purchasing drivers for participants considering retrofits. One-fourth of participants named “ease of installation” as a top driver, while 22% noted “higher intensity.” “Rebates” were a top decision driver for 18% of participants considering LEDS.