News

When using grow lights in horticultural applications, multiple factors contribute to overall project efficiency. These include the lifespan of the lighting system, intensity and uniformity of light distribution, a system’s energy usage, and lighting spectrum, among other aspects. Horticultural lighting transforms electricity into photosynthesis-driving energy for plants, and effective grow lighting leads to a more productive crop yield.

LED lighting is at the forefront of lighting system efficiency. It offers a wide variety of solutions for both indoor and outdoor applications that top traditional lighting in efficiency, lifespan, ambiance, and cost. As in other lighting applications, horticultural LEDs have proven themselves more efficient than traditional grow lighting systems—including in controlled environment agriculture (CEA) setting. Boasting longer system lifespans, higher photon efficiency, better performing system elements, general cost savings, improved temperature regulation and range, increased spectrum regulation, and more effective light beam control, grow lighting systems featuring horticultural LEDs are paving the way in agricultural innovation and urban farming.

The Basics of LED Grow Lighting

All plants have the same needs—including nutrients, air, water, and an optimal temperature setting—but require a different combination of factors to grow most efficiently. Horticultural LEDs support the growing process through augmented light waves designed to enhance photosynthesis. LED grow lighting systems can be as small or as large as a designer desires, depending on the purpose of the system and the lighting components used. These systems are customizable to fit the needs of crops or yield goals through a variety of LED lighting products.

Why use LED grow lights instead of traditional systems? Urban farming systems are constantly exposed to moisture, humidity, and higher-than-average temperatures to increase plant growth. LED drivers are designed to withstand these conditions, and can more precisely tune and deliver appropriate lighting for different crops as needed. The adaptability and reliability of horticultural LED applications make LED grow lights the obvious choice for urban farming situations.

Easy-Install Solutions for Horticultural LEDs

An important aspect of LED grow lighting is the use of proven products. Horticultural lighting, like any lighting management system, is only as productive as the products it employs. GRE Alpha is excited to share the agricultural applications of some of its best and most efficient LED lighting components.

GRE Alpha’s dual mode, Easy-install XLD Series features a patented easy-install enclosure which simplifies wiring and makes installation much simpler, creating cost savings through decreased manual labor and improving reliability of the LED grow lighting system. With universal AC input, integral wiring compartments, constant current and constant voltage dual mode operation, user-adjustable output voltage and current, 1-10V dimming options, compatibility with the SLD Smart Dim dimming module, and up to 92 percent efficiency, GRE Alpha’s Easy-Install products like the XLD75 and XLD200 are flexible, efficient, and reliable, and provide an optimal solution for horticultural LED applications.

The adaptable XLD series can be applied in LED grow light settings to enhance crop yield. Aside from being easy to install, the XLD series is customizable for energy output and temperature regulation, spectrum, light control, and other crucial elements of a horticultural LED system.

The Future of LED Grow Lighting

As the world becomes more connected, more SMART applications for LEDs arrive, and the population continues to grow, LED grow lighting and horticultural LED applications will continue to increase as well. Each LED lighting system is different, and the quality of the products involved determines efficiency and output. Productivity of horticultural lighting systems depends on a variety of factors, and using products specially designed with agricultural applications in mind will make a huge difference in the future of horticultural LEDs for controlled environment agriculture.

Showcasing Innovations in LED Lighting

GRE Alpha looks forward to showcasing even more innovative LED products at future tradeshows and events, including the upcoming 2017 LIGHTFAIR International event in Philadelphia, PA, USA. The LFI conference and tradeshow will be held from May 9 to May 11, 2017. Click here for more information about the event.For more information on GRE Alpha, or to contact a GRE Alpha service representative to schedule a one-on-one appointment with a technical expert, visit https://grealpha.com/.

LED lighting applications are always changing. GRE Alpha, a pioneer in LED lighting and powering innovation, is at the forefront of one of the newest uses: horticultural LEDs and LED grow lights for rural and urban agricultural settings. In fact, a new Specialty Solutions section of the GRE Alpha website recently launched, a resource for horticultural and grow lighting customers interested in sourcing power solutions for LED grow lamps.

Modern Farming: Horticultural LEDs and LED Grow Lights

Plants need nutrients, air, water and the right temperature to grow. Horticultural LEDs support the growing process by providing the best recipe of light waves to enhance photosynthesis. Typically featuring traditional lighting elements and used in settings no natural light can reach—or where supplemental lighting might be necessary—grow lights allow for plant and crops to be grown in less-than-optimal conditions. These traditional grow lighting systems are cropping up in apartments and retrofitted warehouses in cities, backyard sheds in suburbia, as well as places with long winter seasons, among other places, to increase agricultural output.

LED grow lighting accomplishesthe same aims as traditional grow lighting systems, butwith less energy output and a better overall yield. Passionate about expanding the applications of its LED products, GRE Alpha is excited to explore the many ways its products can enhance urban farming and agriculture.

GRE Alpha’s Impact on Horticultural LEDs

Horticultural LED systems have a range of scales, all of which are dependent on the purpose of the system and the lighting components used. As with any LED lighting application, a wide variety of LED lighting is available to customize grow lighting projects. GRE Alpha’s LED drivers target linear type LED grow lights (long-thin) that can extend to fit a range of projects.

Because they are constantly exposed to the humidity, moisture, and higher-than-normal temperatures associated with plant growth, LED drivers for LED grow lights not only have to be incredibly efficient, but also much more reliable. There is an ever-increasing need for lighting control modules that can precisely tune and deliver the best lighting recipe to various types of plants. Having the right lighting control system and LED powering system employed makes all the difference.

GRE Alpha boasts a wide range of powering and lighting control solutions for horticultural and grow lighting applications. Lighting environments require stability and often operate at elevated temperatures that are ideal for plant growth conditions, and horticultural LEDS offer better yield with less energy use. GRE Alpha’s LED powering solutions provide a robust and flexible power platform for powering horticultural LEDs. Lighting control modules boast:

• Universal input at 90 to 305 VAC
• 60W to 300W, multi-channel output options
• 60°C/140°F operating temperature without de-rating
• IP65 splash-proof/moisture-proof design
• User adjustable output current and voltage
• High efficiency design to maximize photosynthetic photon flux (PPF)
• Color tuning module upgrades
• UL/cUL class 2 listed, PSE, CB

Innovating in LED Lighting Management Systems

GRE Alpha is committed to innovation and to delivering high-quality, leading edge LED lighting solutions. For more information about LED drivers, dimming modules and accessories, or to speak with a GRE Alpha product expert, visit the Enquiries page and fill out the Enquiry Form. Sign up for the GRE Alpha newsletter to stay up-to-date on new products and for early access to other GRE Alpha news.

GRE Alpha is proud to announce the opening of its newest office location in Tokyo, Japan. With offices in Hong Kong, United Kingdom and the United States, the addition of a Tokyo branch bolsters the presence of GRE Alpha products in one of the fastest-growing LED lighting markets in the world.

“The office was opened to better serve the needs of our Japanese lighting clients,” said Richard Fong, GRE Alpha’s Executive Director. “We had to find the right people with intimate knowledge of the lighting industry—as well as a strong technical background—to follow up with our Japanese clients and work with distributors to help our products spread throughout the region.”

The Tokyo office will allow GRE Alpha more intimate knowledge of the Japanese market, provide improved market access, allow for better technology exchange with Japanese firms, and expand the company’s global market presence. It will also aid in spreading brand awareness, something that is very important to the LED lighting components manufacturer.

“The Tokyo office furthers our goal of providing quality LED power solutions to different corners of the world,” said Fong. “It’s something we believe in, and we’re excited to see where the expansion takes us.”

Beyond offering better service to clients in Japan, GRE Alpha also looks forward to taking part in the growth of the Japanese LED lighting market due to the expansion of new products and buildings in preparation for the summer 2020 Tokyo Olympics.

For more information on GRE Alpha, or to contact a GRE Alpha service representative and schedule a one-on-one appointment with a technical expert, visit https://www.grealpha.com/contact.

GRE Alpha recently completed a successful showing at the March 2017 Nikkei Messe Tokyo Big Sight Lighting Fair held in Tokyo, Japan. The event, one of the largest comprehensive lighting exhibitions in Japan, ran from March 7 to March 10.

The lighting fair was organized by the Japan Lighting Manufacturers Association and Nikkei, Inc. and played host to 212 total exhibitors from 9 countries and regions, 712 total booths, and more than 70,000 visitors. This was GRE Alpha’s first year displaying at the lighting show.

“It was a good event and generated a lot of interest,” said Richard Fong, Executive Director at GRE Alpha. “We networked with other companies and unveiled several new products for the Japan market.”

GRE Alpha’s team gave demonstrations of products such as LED drivers and LED dimming modules. Products displayed in the company’s booth included the PWM dimming module, Tunable White dimming module, phase dimmable LED driver, DALI dimming modules, and constant voltage LED drivers. New products for the Japanese market included the GRE Alpha PWM dimming module featuring compatibility with Matsushita products, and an introduction to the Japan product-friendly DALI and DMX dimming modules.

“It was very rewarding to share our products that have been retrofitted with compatibility for uniquely Japanese designs,” said Fong. “There was increased interest in using smart lighting and dimming control. The emphasis of the Fair was more on human-centric lighting with ease of use rather than on efficiency. Our products offer both.”

In addition to a successful showing at the Japan event, GRE Alpha is proud to announce the opening of its newest office location in Tokyo, Japan. The new office was launched to provide better support for Japanese customers. GRE Alpha also looks forward to taking part in the growth of the Japanese LED lighting market due to the expansion of new products and buildings in preparation for the summer 2020 Tokyo Olympics.

GRE Alpha looks forward to showcasing even more innovative LED products at future tradeshows and events, including the upcoming 2017 LIGHTFAIR International event in Philadelphia, PA, USA. The LFI conference and tradeshow will be held from May 9 to May 11, 2017.

“We will be showcasing LED drivers specifically for grow lighting and horticultural lighting applications,” said Fong. “We will also be unveiling multi-mode dimming modules for SMART lighting—such as our 7-in-1-dimming module—that support multiple dimming functions.”

For more information on GRE Alpha, or to contact a GRE Alpha service representative and schedule a one-on-one appointment with a technical expert, visit https://grealpha.com/contact/.

GRE Alpha is proud to announce its participation in the March 2017 Nikkei Messe Tokyo Big Sight Lighting Fair in Tokyo, Japan, from Tuesday, March 7, to Friday, March 10, 2017. Past participants in Japan’s LED/OLED Lighting Technology Expo held annually in January, this will be GRE Alpha’s first time in the Nikkei Messe Fair.

“Japan boasts some of the most vibrant and unique lighting designs and lighting firms in the world,” says Richard Fong, Executive Director at GRE Alpha. “Steeped in a culture of constant innovation, GRE Alpha’s products are a good fit with the Japanese lighting industry.”

Pioneers in LED technology, GRE Alpha staff will be providing live demonstrations of several of their products, including the XLAV, 7-in-1 LED dimming module, XLAV Driver, SLD-DIM-PWM dimming module, and its new Tunable White SLD-DimTW Dim-to-Warm dimming module. Additionally, team members will be offering information and a showcase on Japanese certification-compliant, PSE-certified LED drivers including the XLD series, XLA series, and GLC/GLV series products.

“These products provide a comprehensive, one-stop lighting solution that simplifies installation, and provides innovative enhancements to lighting system reliability as well as performance,” says Fong.

GRE Alpha’s booth will feature interactive displays of many of its products, allowing users to experience firsthand the craftsmanship and quality that GRE Alpha brings to its LED power solution designs.

Nikkei Messe, held once every two years in Tokyo, is the largest lighting event in Japan. Hong Kong-based GRE Alpha will have Japanese speaking representatives at its booth to help with networking between staff and Japanese clients. Team members are most looking forward to a great show and to introducing their exciting LED products to the Japan market.

“User experience is very important to us,” says Fong. “Working in tandem with our distributors, we will have knowledgeable, Japanese speaking product experts stationed at our booth to help introduce and share our products with clients.”

Visit https://messe.nikkei.co.jp/ for more information on the 2017 Nikkei Messe Tokyo Big Sight Lighting Fair. For more information on GRE Alpha, or to speak with a service representative and set up a one-on-one appointment with a technical expert, visit https://grealpha.com/contact/a/.