跳至内容 
Greenhouse Supplemental Lighting
Supplemental lighting adds light when sunlight is not enough. It helps in short winter days, under heavy cloud, in propagation and for high-light crops. FANGCHENG supplies and plans the fixtures, the controls and the electrical load.
Why light matters
Plants grow with light. What matters is the total amount of light they receive across a day, not only how bright it is at noon. A short winter day or a long run of cloud lowers that total. Supplemental lighting fills the gap, and the crop decides how big the gap is.
Total light across the dayDo you need supplemental light?
- Short or dull winter days
- High-light crops such as tomatoes, cucumbers and many ornamentals
- Seedling and propagation areas
- Crops where day length controls flowering
- Indoor and vertical set-ups
Use sunlight first
- 01
Keep the cover clean, since dirt cuts light
- 02
Avoid shading in low-light months
- 03
Choose a structure and orientation that admit light
- 04
Add lighting only where the natural light falls short
LED, HPS or fluorescent?
LED.
Efficient, long life and low heat, with spectrum options. The most widely used choice now.
HPS.
Strong light with a warm spectrum that supports flowering and fruiting. It gives off much more heat, which helps in winter and hurts in summer.
Fluorescent.
Gentle, uniform light at lower intensity, used in propagation and small operations.
Research shows the better choice depends on crop, fixture and power cost, so we compare options for your project.
Supplemental light or photoperiod control?
Supplemental light.
Adds to the daily total so plants grow faster or flower on time.
Photoperiod lighting.
Lengthens the day, for crops that flower only on long days.
Blackout.
Shortens the day, for crops that flower only on short days. See our light-deprivation greenhouse.
Light target and layout
Choose the light level from the crop: leafy greens and herbs need less than fruiting vegetables. Even spread matters, so mounting height and reflective surfaces are planned to avoid dark spots and hot spots.
Mounting height and spread
Layout is planned to keep the canopy evenly lit and to avoid shading the crop from natural light.
How to compare fixtures
- How evenly the light spreads over the canopy
- Heat given off, and how it affects cooling in summer
- Electrical efficiency and running cost
- Spectrum options for the crop
- Life of the fixture and cost to replace
- Dimming and control options
- How much the fixtures shade the crop from natural light
Controls and electrical planning
Dimming and light sensors that follow sunlight
Schedules and zoning, so only active areas are lit
Wiring, load capacity and breakers planned with the fixtures
Links to ventilation, cooling and heating, because lights add heat
Fixtures in plain terms
LED.
Light-emitting diodes. Efficient, long-lived and low in radiant heat, and the spectrum can be tuned.
HPS.
High-pressure sodium lamps. Strong, warm light with a lot of radiant heat.
Fluorescent.
Tube lamps with gentle, even light, used in propagation.
Control strategies
Dimming that follows sunlight
So lights add only what is missing.
Schedules for day-length control
Zones
So only active areas are lit.
Links to the climate controller for heat management
Propagation and finishing crops
Young plants and seedlings need uniform, gentle light at close range. Finishing crops, such as fruiting vegetables, need higher light over a larger canopy. The lighting plan changes with the stage.
Gentle for young plantsWhat we need from you
- Crop and growing stage
- Location and the darkest months
- Greenhouse type and height
- Electrical supply available
- Whether you want to control day length as well
Common lighting mistakes
Buying fixtures by price alone
Lighting during hours when the sun is strong
No dimming or sensor, so the lights run flat out
Forgetting the electrical supply
Ignoring the extra heat in summer
Uneven layout with dark spots
Common questions
Straight answers. If yours is not here, ask us.
Often, but not always. It depends on crop, fixture design and electricity price. We compare for your case.
Yes, for crops where day length matters. For shortening days, see our light-deprivation greenhouse.
Yes, especially HPS. We plan lighting together with ventilation and cooling.
No. Many grow well in natural light. It matters most for low-light seasons and high-light crops.
It depends on the crop and the goal. Blue and red light have different roles in growth and flowering. We advise by crop.
HPS lamps give off heat, which can help in winter, but it is a by-product and a problem in summer.
Yes. Wiring, load capacity and protection should be planned and installed by a qualified electrician to local rules.
Yes, but sensors that follow sunlight usually use less electricity.
Explore other systems
Plan your lighting
Send your crop, location and area. We reply within 24 hours.
Consultation and project proposals are free.
What to include
- Location
- Crop
- Greenhouse size
