Ask various greenhouse growers what the “best” LED lighting system is and the answers will vary. Some will focus on efficiency figures, some on upfront investment and some on brand awareness or existing facilities. As LED lighting has become common practice in commercial greenhouses, it has become clear that the question itself is changing. The best commercial LED greenhouse lighting system, according to Sollum Technologies’ Abhay Thosar, is one that adjusts spectrum, intensity and Daylight Integral (DLI) in real time to crop requirements, seasonal light availability and energy conditions.

© Sollum Technologies

Energy costs continue to fluctuate, and the availability of natural light varies throughout the year. “At the same time, growers are expected to deliver consistent quality, predictable yields and stable production planning. LEDs are no longer a separate technology, but part of the core infrastructure. What differentiates lighting strategies is not what appears on a spec sheet, but how a system performs under actual greenhouse operating conditions,” he says. “Greenhouse production is inherently variable. Lighting systems must respond to these changes rather than operate as static installations.”

When comparing LED fixtures, the evaluation is often based on efficiency in µmol/J, maximum light output, purchase price, and warranty terms. While these metrics are useful, they do not fully reflect how a lighting system performs once installed. Seasonal and daily variations in sunlight, differences between sites within the same greenhouse, specific responses to crop spectrum and intensity, and changing energy rates all affect real-world performance.

“An apparatus that looks optimal on paper can become restrictive if it cannot be adjusted as conditions evolve,” explains Abhay. “Adaptability is part of performance.”

Commercial LED greenhouse systems are increasingly defined by their ability to adjust over time. The flexibility of the spectrum allows growers to vary the quality of light according to crop type, growth stage and production goals. Increasing blue light during early stages of growth or introducing red light during periods of low light are adjustments that demonstrate how spectral control can be used to influence plant responses.

“Flexible spectrum gives growers the ability to align lighting with plant behavior, rather than treating the light response as a fixed input,” says Abhay.

Light intensity control is another factor. Instead of maintaining constant output over long periods of time, adjustable intensity allows growers to respond to changes in natural light and avoid using unnecessary energy. This approach is closely related to DLI-based control, where lighting decisions are driven by the amount of light a crop receives each day. In advanced systems, DLI targets are achieved through automated modulation of light output as sunlight conditions change throughout the day.

© Sollum Technologies “The goal is to accurately manage consistent DLI without adding complexity to day-to-day operations,” said Abhay.

Greenhouse environments are rarely uniform, making field-level control important. Differences in structure, orientation or crop design can result in different light requirements within the same facility. Lighting systems that allow zone-based adjustments support more consistent crop development throughout the greenhouse.

Integration with existing greenhouse systems is another matter. Lighting interacts with climate control, energy management and crop planning, and systems that operate in this broad framework are easier to manage over time. Long-term adaptability also plays a role, as lighting strategies change frequently to respond to new cultivars, market demands or energy requirements. Systems that support these changes without having to completely replace them offer greater operational flexibility.

Many greenhouse LED installations still rely on static schedules, where prescription lights are set after installation and manually adjusted, if necessary. Dynamic lighting strategies take a different approach by continuously adjusting spectrum, intensity and timing to crop needs, available daylight, seasonal patterns and operational constraints. These adjustments can be made in real time and at the zone level, managing the underlying complexity of the system.

“The system manages variability so growers can focus on crop results,” says Abhay.

In practical terms, the most suitable commercial LED greenhouse systems support consistent crop performance across seasons, improved uniformity and predictable production results. They allow growers to adjust lighting strategies without replacing hardware and manage energy use in relation to production goals. In this context, “best” is less about the most powerful apparatus and more about a system’s ability to adapt as conditions change.

“The important question for growers is no longer which LED system is the best in absolute terms, but which system provides the control and flexibility needed to respond to changing conditions, plant requirements at each growth stage, and long-term operational goals. Greenhouses are dynamic environments, and lighting systems are increasingly expected to function in the same way.”

For more information:
Sollum Technologies
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