Professional Marijuana Grower November-December 2017 Issue

cooling area, which increases longevity and overall effi ciency. Perhaps the most impressive feature of COB LEDs is their radiant effi ciency. A typical HID (single ended) system has a radiant effi ciency of around 30%. This means that roughly 70% of the electricity used by the system is lost as heat and not converted into usable light. A COB LED has a radiant effi ciency of 40-50%, which, relatively speaking makes them one of the most effi cient artifi cial light sources for growing plants. All in all, COB LED lighting systems are the most effi cient at converting electricity into usable light and are surely a technology that will help shape the future of cannabis cultivation. All Things Considered Let’s get growing naturally It is very important for a marijuana grower to not only examine his or her lighting system’s effi ciency, but to also look at all the factors in the growing facility which impacts the garden’s overall effi ciency. When calculat- ing how much marijuana per watt of energy consumed was produced by a garden, it is imperative that all watts are considered. For example, if a grower uses 10,000 watts in artifi cial lighting and 4,000 watts in air conditioners and other equipment, he or she should calculate the effi ciency based on 14,000 watts of electrical usage. Certain lighting systems may produce larger yields, but may also require additional cooling equipment which could more than offset the increase in yield. In other words, even though the lighting system(s) is the main contributor, a grower must make sure to consider all input factors when determining a garden’s overall effi ciency and his or her return on investment. New horticultural technologies are being developed all the time. Indoor marijuana growers have been infl uencing the development of new technologies in the horticultural fi eld for decades. With new state laws, which ease restrictions on cannabis growing, we are sure to see even more innovations developing in the artifi cial lighting sector. Induction lighting, square wave HID technology, and COB LED lighting systems are all effective and effi cient choices for modern marijuana growers. Ultimately, the size of the growing facility, the heating and/or cooling requirements, and the grower’s budget will be the determining factors as to which light- ing system will be the best. One thing is for sure, the number of marijuana growers across the globe is con- stantly climbing. Choosing an effi cient lighting system is important for hobbyists who want an effi cient garden, but it is imperative for commercial marijuana growers who want to continue to compete in the industry. PMG To see the full line of Age Old products and find a dealer near you please visit: www.tradewindsgarden.com 12 • Professional Marijuana Grower Eric Hopper is a Professional Marijuan

Professional Marijuana Grower November-December 2017 Issue | Page 12