Advanced energy management in Hydroponics

In hydroponic cultivation of plants, artificial illumination provides the necessary energy for plant growth.

In these environments, stability of climate can be controlled, temperature, humidity, etc, to encourage greater production.

The emphasis of light usage for efficiency is the primary purpose for this Essay, and its intended efficiency and usage shall be extrapolated upon.

Normal Sunlight comprises the entire EM spectrum from 200nm to 2500nm in wavelength (infrared, to Ultraviolet)


In this spectrum, photosynthetic pigments only use a small portion of this spectrum, this being:


Chlorophyll a: 375nm-450nm and 550nm-700nm

Chlorophyll b: 400nm-500nm and 625nm-675nm

This absorption spectrum leaves a great deal of the visible spectrum unused for the purposes of hydroponics.

With advanced solar collection methods, and high efficiency-wavelength-specific Light Emitting Diodes, it may be possible to convert the unused portions of the solar spectrum (Electronically) to wavelengths usable for hydroponic applications.

With this method, it should be possible to provide multi tiered hydroponic farms with energy for illumination purposes, from an area equivalent to the buildings total footprint.


Furthermore, by encapsulating each plant, or series of plants in a reflective cocoon (Of sorts) it would be possible to redirect the vast majority of the lighting to the photosynthetic parts of the plant, with minimal bleed off of light.

with this method, it should be possible to use far less illumination than other methods, as the total light would be available for the plant, instead of being lost "Out the Sides", absorbed by the dirt, absorbed by the plant holder, etc.


In summary, These methods of Energy efficiency could be incorporated to grow plants more efficiently than sunlight.

-Redshift the Rave Rabbit