Supplemental ignition is most beneficial during November through February in Michigan , when natural light levels are at their lowest . An increasing numeral of Michigan grower have endue in either high-pitched - intensity or low - intensity lighting from light - emitting diodes ( LEDs ) in purchase order to increase photosynthesis and plant development or to ascertain flowering . LEDs preserve to grow in popularity within the greenhouse diligence as their efficiency increases and their initial monetary value decreases . In a January 2020 article , Erik Runkle provided the efficaciousness of high - volume LEDs on the market place that met the demand for the “ Qualified Product List ” set by the Design Lights Consortium ( DLC ) in 2018 . In order for an precede promiscuous fixture to meet the standards , it must have a five - year warranty , photosynthetic lightheaded upkeep of at least 36,000 hour , and a minimal efficaciousness of 1.9 μmol·J–1 . The efficacy of a lamp is the amount of photosynthetic light emitted per unit of energy consumed by the lamp . As of February 2021 , there were more than 280 LED product that meet those monetary standard .
While the initial cost of set up LEDs , especially high - intensity level light-emitting diode , might still not be economical , Michigan State University Extension recommends that greenhouse or controlled - environment agricultural harvest manufacturer reevaluate the costs of an instalment oftentimes . The technology continues to evolve rapidly and costs continue to decrease . In addition , Michigan utility companies such as DTE Energy and Consumers Energy offer rebates and incentives for installing energy - saving technologies , include supplemental inflammation .
For DTE Energy electric customer , DTE has lately set up the DTE Energy Grow Energy Efficiently Pilot Program for lighting upgrades . DTE will help producers identify which new LED qualify for the incentive program . Greenhouse proprietor who establish these energy - effective LEDs could carry through $ 0.05 per kWh .
get-up-and-go efficiencyAccording to Lindsay Buckwell , program manager for Evergreen Efficiency on behalf of DTE Energy , " The Grow Energy Efficiently original program squad is happy to continue to offer customer the current DTE prescriptive incentive rates and provide specialized customer support to avail speed up vigour efficiency . " DTE Energy Electric client who are interested in the program can learn more about by viewing the “ 2021 Grow Energy Efficiently Pilot Program app and Agreement . ”
consumer Energy has also issue their 2021 Incentive Catalog . In the catalog , producers can see the requirements of agricultural LED lamps that measure up for bonus under “ go Grow Lights ” on page 74 . In addition to the 2021 incentives , Consumer ’s Energy is also running a 10 % preservation on qualifying projects that are experience during the first quarter or before March 31 , 2021 . For more data on the bonus program , check into out , “ Early Bird Bonus – Q1 2021 . ”
