USDA (the U.S. Department of Agriculture) has given a $4.88 million grant to Purdue University for evaluating LED lighting use in greenhouses.
USDA representatives have taken a visit to Purdue University greenhouses on October 25th to get a preview of the work research that will come from the grant. USDA officials, including Deputy Secretary Kathleen Merrigan, got to see the prototype LED lights which will be used in the research.
According to Purdue and the researchers , low winter light means growers currently have to use more expensive overhead lighting to establish new plants .
As a result, to increase greenhouse yields and decrease producers' energy costs, they will team up with Rutgers University, the University of Arizona, Michigan State University, and Orbital Technologies Corp. on the four-year project to improve and evaluate LED lighting for greenhouse use, according to Cary Mitchell, a professor of horticulture and project director for the grant.