Maximum Yield Cannabis Canada 2017 November/December | Page 49

Reputable lighting manufacturers will guarantee the light levels presented in their light plans— provided the luminaires are installed in accordance with the recommended plan, of course. If you are comparing light plans from multiple lighting suppliers, be sure that the data being presented to you is a true indication of the actual performance you can expect. A new lighting system is a big investment and can significantly impact your yield, so ask questions. Is the proposed light output of the luminaire based on the lamp’s maintenance factor (end of life) for the best indication of actual performance? Does the light plan include reflectances? If it does, it can be used to artificially boost the projected light levels. Application example # 2 of how the dimensions of the grow facility and the crop can affect the luminaires and reflectors specified in the light plan. This second example shows a facility with limited ceiling height. In this application, P.L. Light Systems’ NXT-LP luminaires with the Alpha reflector were specified in the light plan, as the low profile housing is specifically engineered to allow for more space between the luminaire and the surface of the crop. Again, the luminaires along the walls were equipped with the Asymmetric reflector to prevent the light from being directed onto the walls where it would be wasted. grow cycle 49