How to leverage LED greenhouse lights in horticulture

Introduction

Lighting the way toward sustainable growing

The energy transition is transforming horticulture worldwide. Ongoing rising energy prices, stricter sustainability goals, and new emission regulations are forcing growers to rethink their production strategies. For many, LED greenhouse lighting is one of the most impactful steps toward a more efficient and profitable operation.

In addition to the energy savings you can realize with LED, this type of greenhouse lighting give growers unprecedented control over light quality and intensity, enabling them to fine-tune their greenhouse climate control, optimize photosynthesis, and make smarter energy decisions.

By integrating LEDs with greenhouse automation and data-driven control, growers can transform light from a fixed cost into a strategic advantage.

What LED greenhouse lighting really means

LED lighting gives your crop exactly the light it needs to grow stronger and faster. You can adjust brightness and color for every stage of growth, while using less energy than other lamps. High pressure sodium (HPS) lamps for example, used in most commercial greenhouses, use more energy.

For high-tech horticulture, LED opens new possibilities:

Extending production cycles into darker months.

Balancing heat and light for optimal crop quality.

Reducing operational costs and environmental footprint.

Combined with systems like Priva Connext, LEDs become part of an integrated growing strategy where lighting, heating, and energy management all work together.

By linking LED lighting to PAR sensors and climate control, growers can deliver exactly the light their crops need. No more, no less. - Hein Jasperse, Consultant at Priva

The benefits of growing with greenhouse LED lights

Switching to LED is an important element in your future-proof cultivation strategy. Here are five key advantages for modern growers:

1. Lower energy consumption and costs

LEDs consume less electricity than HPS lamps while delivering the same photosynthetic light output (WUR, 2023). Their longer lifespan - typically 50,000 hours or more - reduces maintenance and replacement costs. Combined with smart greenhouse control, this can lower total energy costs by 20–25% annually.

2. Improved yield and crop quality

By tailoring the light spectrum to each growth phase, LEDs stimulate optimal photosynthesis and plant morphology. Growers often report 5–10% higher yields per square meter, alongside better color, compactness, and uniformity. Consistent light quality throughout the day and season supports both growth speed and product quality.

3. A more stable greenhouse climate

Because LEDs emit far less radiant heat than HPS lighting, growers gain more precise control over temperature and humidity. This stabilizes transpiration and reduces the risk of plant stress or condensation on leaves. The result: a healthier crop and fewer disease risks, even during periods of low natural radiation.

4. Improved screening and climate balance

With less radiant heat, screens can stay closed longer without overheating the crop. This maintains higher humidity levels and a more homogeneous climate, reducing the need for extra heating. In many cases, growers experience a noticeable improvement in energy efficiency and climate uniformity across the greenhouse.

5. Smarter energy management

With Priva Connext, light intensity automatically adjusts to available sunlight, ensuring crops get exactly what they need. In combination with Priva ECO, lighting schedules can follow day-ahead electricity prices, maximizing savings and even enabling participation in local energy markets. Together, they make LED lighting an active part of your energy strategy.

Take the next step in smart energy management today

Download our whitepaper and discover how to make your greenhouse more energy-efficient.

Download FREE whitepaper

How to successfully implement LED grow lights

Switching to LED lighting can feel like a big investment, but with the right preparation, it can deliver fast and beneficial results. Here’s how to switch to LED lighting:

Step 1: Analyze your current lighting and energy profile

Assess your crop requirements, light hours, and current energy costs to establish a baseline.

Step 2: Choose compatible LED technology

Select LED fixtures that comply with the Horti Lighting Protocol (HLP). HLP-certified lights can be reliably controlled by your climate computer - ensuring smooth integration, consistent data, and cost savings thanks to one universal standard.

Step 3: Integrate with climate automation

Use Priva Connext to modulate light levels dynamically based on sunlight and plant needs and automatically adjust the light spectrum based on the plant needs and your own desires.

Step 4: Optimize your energy management

Add Priva ECO to plan lighting around variable electricity prices and weather forecasts.

During the process: Learn how to work with the new technologies

Switching to LED changes crop behavior. Make sure your team understands how to adjust irrigation, fertilization, and screening settings accordingly. Our consultants are happy to guide you along the way.

Challenges and opportunities of LED lighting

LEDs change the dynamics of greenhouse growing. Less radiant heat means growers must adjust greenhouse irrigation, humidity, CO2 and heating strategies. Integration with automation is essential to keep crops balanced and prevent stress.

Still, the opportunities outweigh the challenges. LEDs support climate compliance, boost sustainability, and prepare growers for a more electrified, data-driven future. Typical return on investment: 3–5 years, depending on regional energy prices and available subsidies.

Priva’s vision on LED greenhouse lights

At Priva, we see LED technology as more than a source of light. It’s a catalyst for a smarter, more sustainable greenhouse. By connecting lighting, greenhouse climate control, and energy management through data, growers can achieve precision growing with minimal waste and maximum return.

Together with our customers, we translate complex energy and climate challenges into clear, practical solutions.

Together, we can help you with:

✓ Create an integrated lighting and energy strategy that balances crop performance and energy use.

✓ Optimize light spectra and climate control through smart automation and predictive insights.

✓ Prepare your greenhouse for future energy systems — from dynamic pricing to renewable integration.

Ready to optimize your lighting strategy?

Technology alone doesn’t drive success. You also need insight. That’s why Priva’s consultants work alongside growers worldwide, helping them adapt their strategies and turn energy challenges into competitive advantages. If you want to learn more about how to implement LED greenhouse lights, feel free to contact our experts for personal advice.

ROI depends on local energy prices, crop type, and light hours. Most high-tech growers see a 3–5-year payback, which can be optimized using Priva ECO’s predictive energy management.

LEDs emit less heat, changing evaporation and humidity dynamics. Adjusting irrigation, heating and ventilation is essential to maintain optimal transpiration rates and crop balance.

Priva Connext allows modulating control of almost any LED brand. The light intensity and color automatically adapts to real-time sunlight, avoiding energy waste and ensuring stable photosynthesis.

Priva automation can close screens automatically during restricted hours, keeping your lighting strategy compliant while protecting your climate balance.

Reduced ventilation under LED lighting can affect CO₂ levels. Connext integrates CO₂ management with lighting and screening to maintain consistent crop uptake.

With Priva ECO, growers can time lighting to low-tariff periods or even provide balancing power to the grid, turning energy management into a new revenue stream.

Yes. Hybrid setups offer flexibility during the transition phase and allow gradual adaptation of your climate strategy.

Tomatoes and peppers: 250–300 µmol/m²/s; cucumbers: ~200; leafy greens: 150–200. Priva control software adjusts dynamically based on crop stage and sunlight.

Not adjusting the climate recipe or selecting non-compatible fixtures are common pitfalls. Always perform an integrated energy and climate assessment before installation.

With Priva Connext and Priva ECO, growers can already apply predictive lighting: automatically adjusting both light intensity and spectrum to the crop’s needs and growth stage. As research into plant-specific color responses continues, the ability to measure and steer precisely on color use will take precision growing even further.

Account Manager Horticulture

Juan Gonzalez

+1 365 4520 249

juan.gonzalez@priva.com

View more contact options

Select your preferred language

How to leverage LED greenhouse lights in horticulture

Lighting the way toward sustainable growing

What LED greenhouse lighting really means