Finland: Test with Philips LED interlighting on organic crop

Ikaalisten Luomu grows organic vegetables all over Finland with a total acreage of 3.9 ha. The company spends a lot of effort applying sustainable methods: in order to heat the greenhouses it makes effective use of natural gas, wood and the carbon dioxide coming from the greenhouses itself.

From the beginning, Ikaalisten Luomu had been looking to sustain the tomato season by means of LED technology. A lack of proper light affected both the quality and the duration of the crop. The longevity and energy efficiency of LED products fit perfectly with the sustainable strategy of Ikaalisten Luomu. But it remained a question whether this technology was suitable for the specific requirements of growing vegetables in Finland.

Eventually, after much discussion and calculation, a deal was struck with Philips. Ikaalisten Luomu chose to invest in a Philips GreenPower LED interlighting module. In collaboration with Philips cultivation experts, the vegetable company will commence with a prolonged test that will take up much of 2013.

In other countries the application of said modules has yielded positive results. The system is said to both increase crop and uphold the existing quality.

Source: Philips, for more information:

http://www.lighting.philips.nl/application_areas/horticultural/index.wpd