Recently, the U.S. DLC released the official version 3.0 of plant lighting technical requirements, and the new version of the policy will take effect on March 31, 2023.
The plant lighting technical requirements version 3.0 released this time will further support and accelerate the application of energy-saving lighting and control products in the CEA industry.
In North America, the growing need to localize food production, coupled with the legalization of cannabis for medical and/or recreational use and the need for resilient supply chains, is driving the growth of controlled environment agriculture (CEA), DLC said.
Although CEA facilities are often more efficient than conventional agriculture, the cumulative impact of increased electrical loads must be considered. Globally, indoor farming requires an average of 38.8 kWh of energy to produce one kilogram of crop. Combined with relevant research results, it is predicted that the North American CEA industry will grow to $8 billion per year by 2026, so CEA facilities must be converted to or built with energy-saving lighting technologies.
It is understood that the new policy document has mainly undergone the following revisions:
Improve lighting effect value
Version 3.0 increases the plant light effect (PPE) threshold to a minimum of 2.30 μmol×J-1, which is 21% higher than the PPE threshold of version 2.1. The PPE threshold set for LED plant lighting is 35% higher than the PPE threshold for 1000W double-ended high pressure sodium lamps.
New requirements for reporting product intended use information
Version 3.0 will collect and report application (product intended use) information for marketed products, giving users insight into expected controlled environments and lighting solutions for all marketed products. In addition, product dimensions and representative images are required and will be published on the DLC’s Qualified List of Energy Efficient Products for Horticultural Lighting (Hort QPL).
Introduction to Product Level Controllability Requirements
Version 3.0 will require dimming capability for certain AC-powered luminaires, all DC-powered products, and all replacement lamps. Version 3.0 also requires products to report additional luminaire controllability details, including dimming and control methods, connector/transmission hardware, and overall control capabilities.
Product Surveillance Test Policy Introduction
For the benefit of all stakeholders, protect the integrity and value of the qualified list of DLC plant lighting energy-saving products. The DLC will actively monitor the validity of product data and other submitted information through an oversight testing policy.
Post time: Dec-27-2022