Remember how it was? Growing with Son-T in the days before LED lights existed. It seems like ages ago. In 2007, the brothers Van der Kaaij of Redstar signed the contract for the first LED installation at the Hortifair. For three days, this news buzzed about the Amsterdam exhibition floor as the LED revolution announced itself. By now we are familiar with LED, and can truly speak of an LED revolution. And that revolution has unfolded in just a few years. Expectations were high. Are cultivation results under LED living up to those expectations at the time?
Advances in LED lighting have led to a significant reduction in power consumption and a substantial increase in the amount of light, bringing significant benefits. Let that be clear.
© Philips Lighting B.V.
However, despite all the existing knowledge, there is still room for further optimization. Adapting to the increased light intensity and unique heat output of LEDs requires a thorough understanding of how these factors affect plant growth and development.
Since the introduction of LED lighting, plant specialists at Philips have been looking at the entire cultivation system and working towards a holistic approach. Together with their partners, they are exploring the possibility of varying the amount of light per daypart/hour, with the aim of maximizing savings on LED light use while improving crop quality. They are also involved, in a study at WUR, working with growers of young plants to help them develop the right light recipe for each variety at each growth stage. In addition to these studies, they organize knowledge meetings, such as events for the tomato, cucumber and flower-growing communities, to share knowledge with customers to exploit the full potential of LED technology. 
© GavitaGert-Jan Dekker
Gert-Jan Dekker of Gavita / Agrolux sees the understanding growing around LED. "When one climate factor changes, other factors need to be adjusted accordingly. With the right balance between light, heating, screening, and dehumidification, excellent cultivation results are now being achieved."
Is the desired production and quality achieved under LED?
Gert-Jan nods in agreement and continues: "Yes indeed, and even more than that. With the right settings, both production and quality can improve significantly due to the higher light intensities that LED enables. This offers growers new opportunities to grow their crops more efficiently and with higher quality." 
© Philips Lighting B.V.
If there were no subsidies on LED, what would be Son-T's place in the market?
Dennis van Dijk, Sales Manager Western Europe Philips Horticulture: "Most growers might have liked to have had a bit more time to grow to LED. The subsidies, combined with changing energy prices, have accelerated LEDification in the Benelux enormously. The learning curve of growing under full LED therefore had to be fast. In markets where energy costs are less leading, full LED lighting is chosen because better control is possible with LED lighting."
© Philips Lighting B.V.Dennis van Dijk
Gert-Jan Dekker: "In markets with high electricity costs, the transition to LED continues naturally. In other markets, subsidies can play a role in the speed of the transition."
In short
The gentlemen agree: expectations have been met. Many steps have been made in optimizing the deployment of LED, and there is still room for further improvement. New insights are still emerging. The subsidies provided have given wings to the use of LED and accelerated the process.
For more information:
Agrolux
info@agrolux.nl
www.agrolux.com/
Philips Horticulture
daniela.damoiseaux@signify.com 
www.lighting.philips.nl/