LED lighting technology can efficiently generate a wide range of spectral power distributions, optical distributions, and intensity levels for plant or animal production. Optimizing these lighting attributes for various agricultural applications can improve plant growth and animal well-being, resulting in increased productivity. DOE works to help achieve these benefits, in addition to the energy savings offered by LED technology, by fostering a clear understanding of the optimal lighting conditions for all of the various agricultural lighting applications.
ROUNDTABLES AND WORKSHOPS
DOE engages with the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Agricultural Research Service (ARS) and leading experts to better understand the inter-related opportunities for energy savings, productivity benefits, and collaborative research related to horticultural and animal lighting. Below are links to information about these meetings.
- Workshop on Advancing Controlled Environment Agriculture on Land and in Space in the Next 20 Years
Co-sponsored by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), USDA ARS, and DOE, this 2023 workshop gathered experts to discuss critical issues, roadblocks, and opportunities to leverage resources to advance controlled environment agriculture. - Solid-State Lighting Program: Domesticated Animal Responses to Light R&D Discussion
Summary of a 2022 meeting of subject matter experts to determine the state of understanding of domesticated animal physiological responses to light as they relate to agricultural and research animals. (publication pending) - Solid-State Lighting Program and USDA-ARS: R&D Meeting
Summary of a 2022 meeting of subject matter experts in fields related to horticultural lighting and associated energy consumption to highlight R&D opportunities, bridge R&D efforts, and facilitate collaboration. (publication pending) - Solid-State Lighting Program: Domesticated Animal Responses to Light R&D Discussion
Summary of a 2021 meeting of subject matter experts to determine the state of understanding of domesticated animal physiological responses to light as they relate to agricultural and research animals. (November 2022) - Solid-State Lighting Program and USDA-ARS: R&D Meeting
Summary of a 2021 meeting of subject matter experts in fields related to horticultural lighting and associated energy consumption to highlight R&D opportunities, bridge R&D efforts, and facilitate collaboration. (June 2022)
ANALYSIS STUDIES
- Energy Savings Potential of SSL in Agricultural Applications
This DOE study analyzes the energy-saving potential of three indoor horticultural LED lighting categories: lighting supplemented greenhouses, high intensity sole-source farms, and sole-source indoor vertical farms typically growing leafy greens. To characterize animal lighting, the analysis investigated the three largest markets of livestock in the U.S. that use lighting – poultry, swine, and dairy farming. (June 2020) - Energy Savings Potential of SSL in Horticultural Applications
This DOE study examines the energy-saving potential of LED lighting in horticultural applications using an investigation of the three main categories of indoor horticulture: supplemented greenhouses, non-stacked indoor farms, and vertical farms. (December 2017)