LED chip, lamp and lighting maker Cree Inc of Durham, NC, USA has expanded its portfolio of LEDs optimized for horticulture lighting with the introduction of the XLamp XQ-E Photo Red LED.
The new LED is capable of providing very high levels of growth-promoting light wavelengths from a footprint that is less than one-third the size of its closest competitor with similar output, it is reckoned. The new XQ-E extends the family of smallest LEDs optimized for horticulture and enables lighting manufacturers to reduce the size of luminaires and lower their system cost, adds Cree.
The new addition expands Cree's range of XQ and XP LEDs that deliver what is claimed to be the industry's highest photosynthetic photon flux (PPF), efficiency and reliability. Both LED families enable the replacement of incumbent lighting technologies at much lower power with similar spectral content. For example, a high-bay reference design using Cree white and photo red LEDs delivers higher average PPF density than a 1000W double-ended high-pressure sodium (HPS) fixture while drawing half the power, it is reckoned.
"Cree LEDs enable us to offer full-spectrum LED grow lights that truly mimic natural sunlight," comments Rami Vardi, CEO of LED grow-light manufacturer Spectrum King LED. "The high performance, high efficiency and high reliability of Cree LEDs allow us to match the intensity of traditional HPS lamps at a lower system cost, longer life and lower power."
The XQ-E Photo Red LED is capable of delivering more than 6.4μmol/sec of the 660nm peak wavelength light that can be beneficial for plant growth from a 1.6mm x 1.6mm footprint. Cree says that its white and color LEDs deliver the full spectrum of light and mimic natural sunlight. The firm's color LEDs (including royal blue, green, red, photo red, and far red LEDs) deliver high PPF in the wavelengths best suited for the different stages of plant growth. The combination of consistent packages, footprints and drive currents allow easy tuning of spectral content and intensity at the luminaire level, Cree says. The new photo red LED leverages the XLamp XQ-E family's proven optical symmetry and consistency across all colors to improve color uniformity and simplify the production process for lighting manufacturers.
"Our mission at Local Roots is to improve global health by building a better food system, and that means growing food in a responsible way at a cost that increases access to fresh and delicious produce," says Matt Vail, chief operating officer of Los Angeles-based indoor vertical farming company Local Roots. "Cree's wide range of high-performing LEDs optimized for horticulture allows us to control spectrum and intensity and provide our crops precisely the light they need in order to maximize growth, nutrition and quality," he comments. "The high efficiency and long-term reliability of Cree LEDs enables us to lower the cost of the food we grow and feed more people better food."
Product samples of the new XQ-E Photo Red LED are available now and production quantities are available with standard lead times.
