Lighting
LED Supplemental Lighting vs No Supplemental Lighting
Supplemental lighting converts electricity into winter production. It only makes sense where the winter light deficit is real, the electricity price is workable and the market pays a winter premium — three conditions that must hold together.
Direct answer
Does supplemental lighting pay for itself?
Only where a winter light deficit, workable electricity tariffs and a winter price premium all apply. In sun-rich climates the same capital usually returns more when spent on cooling, screens or water infrastructure.
| Dimension | LED supplemental lighting | Natural light only |
|---|---|---|
| CAPEX | USD 300K–900K / ha installed, by light level | None |
| Electricity demand | Adds 150–450 kWh/m²/yr on lit crops | Negligible |
| Grid connection | Often the limiting factor; MW-scale on large sites | Modest |
| Winter production | Year-round supply and contract reliability | Seasonal gap of two to five months in high latitudes |
| Yield effect | Typically 20–60% more annual yield on lit vegetables | Baseline; quality varies by season |
| Regulatory exposure | Light-abatement screens and emission rules in several markets | None |
| Heat interaction | LED waste heat is low — heating demand may increase versus HPS | Not applicable |
| Best fit | High latitudes, contracted winter supply, high-value crops | Sun-rich climates and seasonal market models |
Cost delta at a glance
- •Lighting is usually the second-largest CAPEX line after the structure, and the largest single addition to the electricity bill.
- •Payback depends almost entirely on the winter price premium: without a contract that rewards winter supply, the extra kWh rarely returns.
- •Grid reinforcement and capacity charges frequently cost more than the fixtures on large installations.
Planning-grade ranges for budgeting only. Actual pricing depends on site, specification, climate and supplier scope.
Choose LED supplemental lighting when
- Latitudes above roughly 40° with a genuine winter light deficit
- Contracted year-round supply to retail or export buyers
- Sites with confirmed grid capacity and competitive electricity tariffs
Choose Natural light only when
- High-radiation climates where light is not the limiting factor
- Projects where cooling, water or structure spend returns more per dollar
- Weak grid, high tariffs or no winter price premium
Frequently asked questions
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