Vitacress

Vitacress Herbs approached NLight to experiment with a new horticultural lighting system at their Chichester greenhouse. Vitacress is known as one of the largest growers of basil and various potted herbs and is actively involved in sustainability initiatives, with the aim of reducing their carbon footprint and extending the life of their products.

The innovative LED installation involved replacing 52 1000W SON-T HPS lamps with 24 new RV-1000 fixtures from NLight. The primary objective was to reduce energy costs in the greenhouse whilst maintaining existing light levels. By using a high output spectrum and our patented lens technology we achieved the desired results with fewer fixtures compared to the industry standard. This not only reduced the total project cost but also optimised the installation costs.

The integration of the new systems took place during the vegetative growth phase of the herbs. This strategic decision was driven by the lower thermal output of LED lights compared to SON-T lights, minimising the need for cooling while extending the shelf life of the crop. As a result, the grower was able to reduce the operational costs associated with the cooling system and benefit from the energy savings that the LEDs provided.

Congratulations to the team at Vitacress Herbs for embracing LED lighting. We look forward to seeing how the new lighting system will enhance the production of top quality herbs for retailers in the UK.