Turning expertise into illumination
The knowledge centre: Your engine for continuous improvement
A dedicated knowledge centre about light and lighting is essential for driving informed innovation and high-quality decision-making. By centralizing expertise, research findings, and practical guidelines, it becomes a reliable hub where professionals can access up-to-date insights on performance, efficiency, and emerging technologies. Such a center supports faster problem-solving, encourages the adoption of best practices, and strengthens collaboration across disciplines. Whether developing new LED systems, optimizing spectral output, or refining engineering processes, a knowledge center ensures that teams work with the most accurate, relevant, and comprehensive information—ultimately leading to smarter, more effective lighting solutions.
Expertise areas
General lighting
General lighting plays a vital role in creating environments that support comfort, productivity, and overall well-being. When designed with a human-centric approach, lighting goes beyond simple illumination—it adapts to natural rhythms, enhances mood, and improves visual comfort throughout the day. By mimicking the changes of natural light, human-centric lighting can boost concentration, support healthy sleep cycles, and reduce fatigue. As homes, workplaces, and public spaces evolve, prioritizing lighting that responds to human needs ensures healthier, more engaging, and more sustainable environments for everyone.
Essential factors for a successful general lighting project
A successful lighting project balances functionality, aesthetics, comfort and efficiency.
Here are the main factors that contribute to high-quality lighting design.
1. Purpose and function of the space
Lighting should support what people do in the space.
- Task lighting for work areas
- Ambient lighting for general illumination
- Accent lighting to highlight features
- Safety and navigation lighting for circulation areas
2. Light Levels (Illuminance)
Lighting should support what people do in the space. Choosing the correct light intensity (measured in lux) is essential.
- Offices: 300–500 lux
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Living rooms: 100–300 lux
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Kitchens/workshops: 500–1000 lux
3. Light quality
Lighting should support what people do in the space. Includes several technical characteristics:
- Color Temperature (CCT): Warm (2700–3000K) for cozy spaces, Neutral (3500–4000K) for work, Cool (5000–6500K) for industrial.
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Color Rendering Index (CRI): High CRI (≥80–90) improves color accuracy.
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Uniformity: Avoids overly bright or dark areas.
4. Energy efficiency
Efficient luminaires and smart controls minimize energy use.
- LED technology
- Sensors (motion, daylight)
- Smart dimming systems
5. Aesthetics and visual comfort
Good lighting avoids glare, shadows, and flicker.
- Proper luminaire selection
- Shielding and diffusers
- Well-planned layouts
6. Integration with architecture and interior design
Lighting should complement materials, colors, and spatial geometry.
- Hidden lighting for modern designs
- Highlighting textures (e.g., wall-washing)
- Layering techniques
7. Natural light integration (daylighting)
Maximizing daylight improves comfort and reduces energy use.
- Window placement
- Light shelves, reflective surfaces
- Shades and blinds for control
8. Controls and flexibility
Allowing users to adjust lighting improves comfort.
- Scene controls (e.g., “work mode,” “relax mode”)
- Dimmable fixtures
- Automation and smart systems
9. Safety and compliance
Meeting standards and codes ensures proper operation and safety.
- Emergency lighting
- Local electrical codes
- Illuminance standards (e.g., EN 12464-1, IES guidelines)
10. Maintenance and longevity
A good project considers:
- Fixture accessibility
- Expected lifespan of luminaires
- Ease of replacement
Media centre
Access multiple technical videos covering lighting technology, design, and applications
Terms and definitions
Discover important concepts, terms, and definitions that underpin general lighting design.
Horticulture lighting
Horticulture lighting plays a crucial role in modern agriculture and indoor farming by optimizing plant growth, development, and productivity. Proper lighting not only provides the energy plants need for photosynthesis but also influences flowering, fruiting, and nutritional quality.
The plant-centric concept emphasizes designing lighting systems specifically around the needs of the plant rather than the human eye. This means selecting the right light spectrum, intensity, and photoperiod to support each stage of growth, improving efficiency while reducing energy consumption. By focusing on the plant’s perspective, growers can achieve healthier crops, higher yields, and more sustainable cultivation practices.
Essential factors for a successful horticulture lighting project
For a successful horticulture lighting project, several key factors must be considered to ensure optimal plant growth, energy efficiency, and cost-effectiveness. By considering these factors, you can optimize plant growth, improve crop yields, and create an efficient, sustainable lighting system for any horticultural application—whether it's indoor farming, greenhouses, or vertical farming.
Here are the essential factors to keep in mind:
1. Understanding Plant Lighting Needs
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Light Spectrum: Different plants have varying requirements for light wavelengths. Tailor the light spectrum (e.g., red, blue, and far-red) to the specific growth stages (vegetative, flowering, fruiting).
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Photosynthetically Active Radiation (PAR): Ensure the lighting provides adequate PAR for photosynthesis, typically in the range of 400–700 nm.
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Photoperiod (Light Duration): Adjust the light duration according to plant type (long-day vs. short-day plants) to trigger blooming or vegetative growth.
2. Optimal Light Intensity
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DLI (Daily Light Integral): Ensure the light intensity and duration meet the DLI requirements for the specific crop to support optimal growth.
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Uniform Distribution: Lighting must be evenly distributed to avoid areas of under or overexposure, which can stress plants and affect growth rates.
3. Light Quality and Color Temperature
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Color Temperature (CCT): Choose the right CCT to suit different growth phases. For example, cooler light (5000K–6500K) is beneficial for vegetative growth, while warmer light (2700K–3000K) supports flowering and fruiting.
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High CRI: Select lighting with a high Color Rendering Index (CRI) to help plants grow under more natural light, enhancing plant health and quality.
4. Energy efficiency
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Energy-Saving Technologies: Use LED grow lights or other energy-efficient systems to reduce electricity consumption while maintaining adequate light output.
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Light Spectrum Customization: Choose systems that allow you to adjust the light spectrum for different growth stages, reducing unnecessary energy use during periods when certain wavelengths are not needed.
5. Temperature Control and Heat Management
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Thermal Management: Excess heat from lights can stress plants and increase cooling costs. Choose low-heat LED lights or ensure proper ventilation and cooling systems are in place to maintain optimal growing temperatures.
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Ambient Temperature Control: Make sure the lighting system is compatible with the climate control system in place to ensure both temperature and light are maintained at optimal levels.
6. Automation and Control Systems
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Smart Lighting: Implement automated controls for adjusting light intensity, spectrum, and duration based on plant needs or time of day (e.g., using dimmers or timers).
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Environmental Integration: Use sensor-based systems that adjust lighting based on factors like ambient light levels, humidity, and temperature to optimize energy use.
7. Light Uniformity and Coverage
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Uniform Light Distribution: Ensure light is evenly spread across the growing area. Avoid hot spots or areas with insufficient light, which can lead to uneven plant growth.
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Fixture Placement: Position lighting fixtures to cover the entire growing area while maintaining consistent light intensity and uniformity across all plant rows or trays.
8. Monitoring and Adjustments
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Regular Monitoring: Use sensors or monitoring systems to track light intensity, plant response, and growth metrics to adjust lighting accordingly.
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Adaptive Systems: Implement adaptive lighting systems that can automatically adjust based on real-time environmental conditions (light, temperature, humidity).
9. Light Duration and Photoperiod Control
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Photoperiod Sensitivity: Plants may require different day/night cycles to stimulate growth. Set up lighting systems with adjustable timers to control light duration for both day and night cycles.
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Intermittent Lighting for Energy Savings: Consider using intermittent or cyclical lighting to balance energy savings with plant needs, especially in long-season crops.
10. Cost and ROI Analysis
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Initial Investment vs. Long-Term Savings: Analyze the cost-effectiveness of different lighting systems, considering both initial installation costs and ongoing energy savings. High-quality LED systems may have higher upfront costs but lower operational costs and longer lifespans.
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ROI on Yield: Track how lighting adjustments impact crop yields, quality, and growth rates, ensuring that the investment in lighting is justified by improved outcomes.
11. Sustainability
- Eco-Friendly Materials and Energy Sources: Use energy-efficient lighting systems and consider renewable energy sources (e.g., solar or wind) to power the lighting.
- Sustainable Practices: Choose fixtures and materials that are long-lasting, recyclable, and reduce carbon footprints, aligning with sustainable agricultural practices.
12. Compliance with Regulations and Standards
- Local Regulations: Ensure the lighting system complies with local safety standards and environmental regulations.
- Quality Standards: Follow industry standards for horticulture lighting, such as ASHRAE, IES, or EU Ecodesign regulations for energy efficiency and environmental impact.
Media centre
Access multiple technical videos covering lighting technology, design, and applications
Terms and definitions
A detailed overview of the critical parameters involved in designing an effective horticulture lighting system
Special lighting
Specialized lighting research and development is critical for industries where standard lighting solutions are insufficient. Tailored lighting solutions ensure precision, safety, and efficiency in applications with unique requirements.
In medical environments, high-quality, glare-free lighting with accurate color rendering supports diagnostics and surgical procedures. In the pharmaceutical industry, controlled lighting helps maintain product integrity and ensures compliance with strict regulatory standards. Food processing benefits from lighting that enhances visibility and color assessment, ensuring quality and safety. In lithography and other high-precision manufacturing processes, specialized lighting improves accuracy, reduces errors, and enhances productivity.
By investing in application-specific lighting R&D, organizations can optimize performance, reduce risks, and achieve higher operational standards tailored to their precise needs.
Essential factors for high performance specific lighting projects
These key factors depends on the final application and specifications request. Nevertheless, this approach ensures that special lighting projects deliver precise, safe, and efficient illumination, support productivity and quality, and integrate sterilization where required.
1. Precise Lighting Requirements
- Define the exact lighting needs for the application (e.g., high CRI, specific intensity, uniformity).
- Consider task-specific requirements, such as surgical visibility, quality inspection, or sterilization.
2. Color rendering and accuracy
- Use lights with high CRI or specialized indices for true color perception.
- Critical in medical diagnostics, pharmaceutical inspection, food quality control, and lithography.
3. Uniformity and glare control
- Ensure even light distribution to avoid shadows or bright spots.
- Minimize glare for user comfort and precision in sensitive environments.
4. Spectral control
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Tailor light spectrum to the specific application:
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Medical and lab lighting: supports accurate diagnostics.
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Food processing: highlights freshness and color differences.
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Lithography: minimizes errors caused by unwanted wavelengths.
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Sterilization: use specific UV wavelengths (e.g., UV-C) to eliminate bacteria and pathogens.
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5. Intensity and precision
- Adjust lux levels or photon flux according to the task.
- Critical for high-precision work, inspection, and sterilization processes.
6. Energy efficiency and sustainability
- Use efficient technologies (LEDs or UV LEDs) to reduce operational costs and heat.
- Consider environmental impact, especially in facilities with long operating hours.
7. Safety and compliance
- Meet industry-specific standards (medical regulations, food safety, cleanroom protocols, sterilization standards).
- Ensure safe light exposure, particularly for UV sterilization, to protect staff and products.
8. Control and automation
- Implement adjustable systems for intensity, spectrum, timing, and sterilization cycles.
- Integrate with sensors or automated processes for consistent quality, safety, and energy efficiency.
9. Heat management
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Minimize heat to protect sensitive products (pharmaceuticals, food) and maintain controlled environments.
10. Maintenance and reliability
- Use durable, low-maintenance lighting solutions to reduce downtime.
- Reliability is crucial in critical environments like operating rooms, labs, or sterilization areas.
11. Sterilization Capability
- Incorporate UV-C or other germicidal lighting where pathogen control is required.
- Ensure proper dosage, exposure time, and safety measures to maximize sterilization effectiveness.
Media centre
Access multiple technical videos covering lighting technology, design, and applications
Terms and definitions
A detailed overview of the critical parameters involved in designing an effective specific lighting system.