Grow Lights Market Size Share & Trends

Grow Lights Market Size & Growth

[230 Pages Report] The grow lights market is expected to reach USD 6.4 billion by 2029 from USD 2.0 billion in 2024, at a CAGR of 26.5% during the 2024-2029 period.

Grow lights are specialized artificial lighting systems essential for promoting plant growth in indoor environments where natural sunlight is limited or unavailable. These lights are available in various types, including fluorescent (CFLs, T5, T8, and T12 tubes), LED (standard and full spectrum), and HID (Metal Halide, High-Pressure Sodium, and Ceramic Metal Halide) lights, each offering unique benefits such as energy efficiency, longevity, and specific wavelength emissions tailored to different plant growth stages. Fluorescent lights are commonly used for seedlings and leafy greens, while LEDs are preferred for their customizable spectra that support all growth stages from seedling to flowering. HID lights, known for their high intensity, are often used in commercial settings, with Metal Halide lights promoting vegetative growth and High-Pressure Sodium lights enhancing flowering and fruiting. Grow lights work by emitting light wavelengths that plants absorb for photosynthesis, the process by which they convert light into chemical energy to fuel their growth. This capability allows for the extension of growing seasons and enables year-round cultivation, regardless of external weather conditions or daylight availability, making them particularly beneficial for urban agriculture and indoor gardening where space and natural light are constrained. By providing optimal lighting conditions, grow lights enhance plant health, growth rate, and yield. They are widely used in home gardens, commercial greenhouses to supplement natural light, and urban farming setups, playing a crucial role in modern agricultural practices by enabling efficient, controlled environment agriculture (CEA).

Grow Lights Market Forecast to 2029

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Grow lights Market Trends & Dynamics

Driver: Robust governmental support for the implementation of solid-state lighting technology and controlled-environment agriculture (CEA) methodologies

Light-emitting diode (LED)-based lighting, the dominant form of solid-state lighting (SSL), is transforming the lighting sector. According to the US Department of Energy in June 2020, LED lighting can reduce electricity consumption by 31% to 35% per square foot of growing area compared to conventional lighting technology. Governments worldwide are promoting SSL adoption due to this efficiency. They are also intensifying their investments in SSL research and development to make these systems more affordable. For instance, the Chinese government allocates approximately USD 1 billion annually towards SSL development. Similarly, the European Union invests nearly USD 100 million on average, while the US Department of Energy commits around USD 250 million each year to SSL adoption and research. This trend is expected to escalate in the future as governments increasingly prioritize reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

The US government incentivizes the adoption of LED-based grow lights through various programs such as rebates, loans, and tax incentives. Below are some examples of incentive programs available in different states across the US.

Furthermore, governments worldwide are actively endorsing controlled-environment agriculture (CEA), thus amplifying the demand for LED-based grow lights. CEA, once considered a niche technology, has now emerged as a viable solution for enhancing food security while safeguarding the environment. Driven by the perpetual need for local produce and advancements in vertical farming and greenhouse techniques, CEA technologies are swiftly being embraced to optimize space, energy, water, labor, and capital utilization. In February 2022, Kerala (India) initiated the Vertical Garden plan under the State Horticulture Mission (SHM) as part of the Mission for Integrated Development of Horticulture (MIDH). This initiative aims to assist individuals in establishing vertical gardens for cultivation. Participants will receive a 75% subsidy on the total setup cost, with the remaining 25% borne by the beneficiary.

Restraint: Elevated setup and installation expenses for LED grow lights

The high initial investment required for LED grow lights presents a significant hurdle for the overall growth of the grow lights market. Despite their increasing popularity due to superior energy efficiency, higher light output, and longer lifespan compared to traditional High-Pressure Sodium (HPS) lights, LED systems generally entail higher upfront costs. This initial capital expenditure for establishing an LED grow light system can be 2-3 times greater than that of an equivalent HPS system. Such a higher upfront cost poses a major barrier, especially for small-scale growers and hobbyists, who may find themselves deterred by the substantial investment needed. Despite the long-term operational cost savings promised by LED technology, the higher price tag complicates achieving widespread adoption, particularly in price-sensitive market segments. Overcoming this initial cost hurdle is crucial for LED grow lights to fully leverage their technical advantages and drive further growth of the overall grow lights market. High-powered LED grow lights, starting at USD 500, serve as primary light sources for commercial indoor cultivation, with premium full-spectrum models priced at USD 2,000 or more. In comparison, high-powered induction and plasma grow lights, priced from USD 1,300 and USD 3,000, respectively, also encounter adoption challenges due to their initial cost barriers. However, with escalating competition among manufacturers and the potential for high returns on investment (ROI), a future decline in LED grow light prices is anticipated, thereby alleviating this adoption restraint in the forecast period.

Opportunity: Technological advancements in LED grow lights and automation in lighting systems

Automation streamlines agricultural processes, providing growers with precise data, reducing labor costs, and enhancing both quality and yield. Advanced lighting automation, exemplified by disruptive LED technologies from companies like Heliospectra AB and Gavita, empowers growers to make data-driven decisions remotely. These intelligent lighting solutions incorporate sensors that monitor plant activities, allowing for real-time adjustments to light intensity via software controls. Such advancements, tailored to provide specific intensities and wavelengths, are anticipated to drive market growth.

In June 2022, Little Leaf Farms secured USD 300 million in equity financing, led by The Rise Fund and Bank of America, to fuel aggressive expansion. Doubling facility acreage by 2026 aims to make their locally grown salads accessible to over half the nation's population. LED technology innovations have played a pivotal role in supporting the growth of the grow lights market, offering cost-effective solutions for indoor farming. With LED lighting becoming more affordable and efficient, growers benefit from increased returns on investment, facilitating the proliferation of vertical farms. LED top lighting and inter lighting systems are favored by horticulture growers for their versatility across diverse crop types.

Plants utilize specific wavelengths for various physiological processes, emphasizing the need for precise artificial lighting. Advancements in LED grow lights enable tailored facility customization, facilitating improvements in flavor, sweetness, and antioxidant levels in crops. While red light (650-665 nm) boosts photosynthesis, balanced growth is achieved through the incorporation of blue light (658-660 nm). Red LED lights (658-660 nm) enhance the antioxidant content in vegetables like cabbage and lettuce, while those with a wavelength of 668 nm improve the flavor of tomatoes

Challenge: Lack of standardized testing protocols for evaluating horticulture lighting product quality

Assessing product quality primarily involves validating its lumen output and operational lifespan. LED grow light manufacturers have claimed that their products can operate for 30,000 to 50,000 hours based on their research and testing over several years. However, due to variations in manufacturing techniques and testing practices among manufacturers, accurately determining the lifespan of LED grow lights is challenging, leading to potential false claims by some manufacturers. Therefore, establishing mutual agreement and developing standardized testing procedures is crucial to ensure product quality.

This issue also creates trade barriers and hampers the global adoption of LED technology across various lighting applications, including general lighting, automotive lighting, and horticulture lighting. The lighting technology industry faces a significant challenge in the absence of standardized testing practices, particularly for emerging technologies like LED, induction, and plasma. While certain organizations in developed countries monitor quality assurance, many emerging economies lack such standards.

For example, the US Department of Energy (DOE) collaborates with standards organizations like the American National Standards Institute (ANSI), the National Electrical Manufacturers Association (NEMA), and the Illuminating Engineering Society of North America (IES) to establish SSL standards. Similarly, the American Society of Agricultural and Biological Engineers (ASABE) has developed standards such as "Lighting Systems for Agricultural Facilities," which offers guidelines for greenhouse lighting design. ASABE has also formed a Plant Growth LED Lighting Committee to develop LED horticulture lighting standards.

Grow lights Market Ecosystem

The prominent players in the grow lights market are Signify Holding (Netherlands), ams-OSRAM AG (Austria), SAVANT TECHNOLOGIES LLC. (US), LEDVANCE GmbH (Germany) and Gavita International B.V. (Netherlands).

Vertical farming is expected to have the highest market share during the forecast period.

The widespread adoption of LED grow lights has spurred a significant uptake of vertical farming practices. Vertical farming, characterized by stacked plant layers, optimizes available space to produce high-quality, pesticide-free food, addressing global challenges of space constraints and soaring food prices. By utilizing vertical space, crops can be cultivated year-round despite fluctuating climatic conditions.

LED grow light systems are increasingly favored for vertical farming due to their compact design, waterproofing capabilities, and minimal maintenance requirements. Their low heat emission allows for closer placement to plants, maximizing light exposure and enabling designers to stack more layers within limited growing room heights. In contrast, HID lighting systems, with their higher heat output, risk plant damage if stacks are placed too closely.

The legalization of medical and recreational cannabis in several US states has further propelled growth in the grow lights market, with growers drawn to its high returns on investment. However, cultivating cannabis in vertical farms presents challenges, such as managing heat emitted by lighting systems. LED lights, operating at lower temperatures, offer a solution to this issue and have shown promising results in boosting productivity. For instance, MedMen Cannabis Vertical Farm in the US deployed LED systems, resulting in reduced production time, lower costs, and decreased energy consumption.

In a notable development, Crop One Holdings and Emirates Flight Catering jointly launched Emirates Crop One (ECO 1), the world's largest vertical farm in Dubai. Spanning 330,000 square feet, ECO 1 utilizes vertical farming techniques to produce over 2 million pounds of leafy greens annually while conserving 95% of water compared to field-grown produce. This venture underscores the potential of vertical farming to revolutionize food production on a large scale.

In June 2023, Signify Holding and Infinite Acres B.V. joined forces to revolutionize the expansion of vertical farming. INFINITEACRES has pioneered a resource-efficient indoor farming method that harnesses renewable energy and reduces food miles. Their collaboration with Signify Holding aims to tackle technological and business hurdles in scaling up operations. Partnering with Signify is crucial for overcoming learning curves and achieving success in this pioneering field.

In May 2022, OSLON Optimal LEDs offer a versatile range of color and white options tailored to suit various growing needs. Leveraging advanced chip technology, these LEDs feature a wide light distribution pattern and larger lens, ensuring robust high performance essential for vertical farming and inter-lighting horticultural applications.

Asia Pacific region is projected to grow at the highest CAGR during the forecast period from 2024-2029.

The market in the Asia Pacific region has been further segmented into China, Japan, Southeast Asia, Australia, and the Rest of Asia Pacific. The grow lights market in this region is expected to expand at a highest CAGR from 2024 to 2029. The Asia Pacific is characterized by diverse climatic conditions. Tropical countries like India, Thailand, and Malaysia receive ample sunlight throughout the year, whereas countries such as Australia and New Zealand experience harsh winters, driving higher demand for horticulture lighting systems.

The market growth in this region is largely driven by a continuously increasing population, resulting in greater demand for food. This has spurred the adoption of advanced farming technologies, such as Controlled Environment Agriculture (CEA), to ensure a year-round supply of fresh fruits and vegetables. Additionally, the pressure on farmers to enhance agricultural yields with limited resources and the need to protect crops from unpredictable climatic changes are expected to boost the adoption of LED-based grow lights in the Asia Pacific during the forecast period.

Grow Lights Market by Region

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Limited spectrum segment is projected to have the highest market share in the forecast period from 2024-2029.

Narrow-band LEDs, or limited spectrum LEDs, provide monochromatic output to optimize the most essential wavelengths of light. These LEDs are available in deep blue (450 nm), hyper red (660 nm), far-red (730 nm), and green (530 nm). Traditionally, blue, and red lights have been predominantly used in horticulture lighting since plants absorb these wavelengths more effectively. Other wavelengths, such as green, have received less attention.

Purple LEDs, which fall between full-spectrum and narrow-band LEDs, combine key wavelengths of red and blue into a single package, making them a standard option in the market. Purple LEDs can also be combined with broad-spectrum LEDs to enhance yields (fresh weight) and antioxidant levels, while producing high-quality white light for visual inspection and plant harvesting. As a blend of red and blue spectrums, purple LEDs are the most widely used grow lights globally and are categorized under the limited spectrum segment.

Top Companies Grow Lights Market Size - Key Market Players

The major players in the grow lights companies with a significant global presence includes

• Signify Holding (Netherlands),
• Gavita International B.V. (Netherlands),
• Heliospectra (Sweden),
• ams-OSRAM AG (Austria),
• California LightWorks (US),
• Hortilux Schréder (Netherlands), Valoya (Finland), ILUMINAR Lighting LLC. (US), SAVANT TECHNOLOGIES LLC. (US), Ushio Inc. (Japan), EconoLux Industries Ltd. (China), LEDVANCE GmbH (Germany), Lemnis Oreon B.V. (Netherlands), Hyperion Grow Lights (England), Sananbio (China), Dongguan LEDESTAR Opto-electronics Tech. Co., Ltd. (China), ViparSpectra (US), Kind LED Grow Lights (US), Black Dog Horticulture Technologies & Consulting (US), Agrolux B.V. (Netherlands), Sollum Technologies (Canada), Mars Hydro (China), Biological Innovation and Optimization Systems, LLC. (US), EVERLIGHT ELECTRONICS CO., LTD. (Taiwan), and NICHIA CORPORATION (Japan).

Scope of the Grow Lights Market Size Report

Grow Lights Market Highlights

The study segments the grow lights market based on offering, wattage, spectrum, cultivated plant, installation type, lighting type, sales channel, application, and region

Recent Developments

• In May 2024, Heliospectra unveils the 1500W MITRA X LED light, featuring an increased output of 5700µmol, wide beam optics, and 3.7 efficacy. With only 2 LED lights needed to cover a standard 8m trellis, the new MITRA X reduces investment costs for vegetable growers while ensuring high output and uniformity to optimize taste and yield. The expanded MITRA X platform emphasizes modularity and versatility, catering to various environments and crops to address the diverse requirements of contemporary growers.
• In February 2024, Signify holding has expanded its Philips GreenPower LED gridlighting range, catering to indoor cannabis cultivation. The new offerings include spectral options tailored for optimal cannabis production and a wider voltage range. The expanded portfolio introduces two cannabis-specific spectra: the efficient white spectrum, ideal for vegetative stage development, and the efficient broad white spectrum, offering high efficiency for flowering stages at ~3.0 μmol/J. Furthermore, the updated gridlighting 1.1 now supports a broader voltage range, from 120 to 480V, enhancing its suitability for various cultivation setups and facilities.
• In October 2023, Signify Holding partnered with Houweling Americas, a horticulture firm based in Surrey, British Columbia, Canada. As a certified Philips LED horticulture partner, Houweling Americas will exclusively provide the Philips LED lighting portfolio to Canadian growers. Houweling Americas, a division of the Houweling Group, offers a diverse range of products and services for greenhouse growers across Canada, including greenhouse hygiene, water treatment, coir substrates, nutrients, and LED lighting.
• In September 2023, Heliospectra unveils helioCORE 2.0, featuring new enhancements to its Smart LED lighting technology and control systems. Updates include weather forecasting integration in the DLI controller, a redesigned graphical interface with a drag-and-drop zone creation feature, and enhanced data visualization of the environment. This software update underscores Heliospectra's dedication to providing advanced, user-friendly solutions that enhance plant cultivation and energy efficiency.
• In June 2023, Signify Holding and Infinite Acres B.V. joined forces to revolutionize the expansion of vertical farming. INFINITEACRES has pioneered a resource-efficient indoor farming method that harnesses renewable energy and reduces food miles. Their collaboration with Signify Holding aims to tackle technological and business hurdles in scaling up operations. Partnering with Signify is crucial for overcoming learning curves and achieving success in this pioneering field.
• In June 2023, ams-OSRAM AG introduced the fifth generation of its OSLON Square Hyper Red horticulture LED, aimed at accelerating plant growth and facilitating optimized system costs. This iteration reflects the company's commitment to innovation driven by customer feedback, offering LED solutions with increased photosynthetic photon flux (PPF) and higher efficacy compared to the previous Hyper Red 660?nm LEDs. The new OSLON Square Hyper Red LED is suitable for various horticultural lighting applications, including greenhouse toplighting and interlighting, sole source lighting, and vertical farming.
• In June 2023, Ams OSRAM AG expanded its OSLON Optimal family of horticultural lighting LEDs by introducing a new 640 nm Red LED. This addition enhances indoor farmers' ability to achieve accelerated and healthier plant growth. The new 640 nm Red LED supplements the existing range of LEDs in the OSLON Optimal family, which includes the 660 nm Hyper Red, 730 nm Far Red, 450 nm Deep Blue, and horticulture white LEDs. This broader coverage of the red spectrum offers improved options for horticultural lighting applications.

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