GE Current - Experts & Thought Leaders

Sion Young Plants B.V. (Sion), a globally renowned breeder and supplier of Phalaenopsis cuttings to commercial growers around the world, is to update its 6.6 hectare facility with GE Current’s advanced horticulture LED lighting. In addition to a hybrid lighting plan that combines high-efficiency Arize Element R1000 top lighting with HPS lamps, Sion will also be one of the first companies to deploy GE Current’s new, modular Arize Element L2000. Arize Element L2000 fixtures The Arize Element L2000 fixtures will span two separate greenhouse zones The Arize Element L2000 fixtures will span two separate greenhouse zones with a growing area of approx. 4,600 sq.meters and will allow Sion to test a 100% LED set-up and explore the impact of two different light spectra on orchid propagation, growth and flowering. The installation of new lamps will be completed by early December 2022. The Arize Element L2000 is the first LED top light on the market to feature three separate LED modules that can easily be swapped out, without needing to change the surrounding fixture or electrical infrastructure. Combine different light spectra within the same fixture Growers can combine different light spectra within the same fixture according to the needs of their crop or simply swap out the LED light bars at end of life, replacing them with the latest generation. This modular design generates less landfill waste and reduces the cost of lighting upgrades. With a choice of seven different light spectra, offering efficacy levels that surpass 3.6 µmol/J and maximum output of 3600 µmol/s, the L2000 is a powerful replacement for 1000W HPS lamps, helping growers save on their energy bills without compromising productivity. Fine-tune lighting plans Growers can evolve their operations with the latest research, maximizing yields and profit The ability to mix and match up to three different light spectra within the same fixture allows growers to fine-tune their lighting plans, as more insights into the impact of different light wavelengths on various crops are shared. By only swapping out individual LED modules for those that deliver the optimized spectrum for their plants, growers can evolve their operations with the latest research, maximizing yields and profit, without the cost of a full refit. Highest-quality Phalaenopsis cuttings René’t Hoen, Supply Chain Manager at Sion comments, “We specialize in producing the highest-quality Phalaenopsis cuttings for our customers to grow and sell around the world, but we also take pride in the incredible new varieties developed by our expert team of breeders. As a company, we aren’t just focused on the immediate pressures to control our energy bills and meet the increasingly stringent environmental targets to reduce our carbon footprint.” René’t Hoen adds, “These are important of course, but we are also looking to the future of our industry. The research into the impact of varying light wavelengths on orchid growth and development is still extremely limited, but we feel there is huge untapped potential in LED lighting that could give us more tools to create even more exciting and beautiful orchids for everyone to enjoy.” GE Current’s energy-efficient horticultural LEDs With the full installation of close to 2000 fixtures (of which 25% will be the modular L2000 units) due to be completed by early December, the team at Sion will immediately start to reap the rewards of using GE Current’s energy-efficient horticultural LEDs. James Fleet, the General Manager for EME & ANZ at GE Current notes, “With energy costs reaching unsustainable levels for growers around the world, the time has never been better to look at every possible way to reduce operating expenses and lighting should form an important part of that strategy.” GE Current – Sion partnership We’re excited to work with Sion and help them explore the potential of our newest modular top light" James Fleet adds, “We’re excited to work with Sion and help them explore the potential of our newest modular top light and compare a 100% LED set-up with the more common hybrid model.” Offering a more than 40% reduction in energy consumption versus traditional 1000W HPS lamps, the Arize Element R1000 fixtures will help reduce Sion’s reliance on HPS, while adding more targeted light wavelengths to complement the HPS’ broad spectrum. Explore the potential of new technology “It’s important for growers to approach any new installation, upgrade or retrofit with as much data as possible,” said James Fleet, adding “Our lighting designers worked closely with Sion to create a lighting plan that would not only address their immediate needs, but would allow them to explore the potential of new technology to transform their future business.” James Fleet continues, “The L2000 design allows us to take another significant step forward in offering more sustainable solutions to our customers, combining market-leading reliability, energy efficiency and performance with a lower carbon footprint.”

Current is offering open access to the findings of its most recent research collaboration. The study, conducted by Wageningen University & Research (WUR), is the first major scientific investigation into the impact of Intra-Canopy Lighting (ICL) on the quality and volume of vine tomato yields. The findings of this research, which also saw the first use of Current’s new Arize® Integral ICL fixture, offer growers of high-wire crops such as tomatoes, cucumbers, or bell peppers new options to significantly boost yields, without increasing energy consumption or monthly bills. Intra-Canopy lighting Published in the form of an easily-digestible booklet, designed to answer growers’ key questions, the study found that by delivering 34% of the daily light integral (DLI) to mature leaves deep within the canopy, and 66% from top lighting (TL), two of the most common tomato cultivars produced an average of 14% more fruit than those with 100% top lighting. There was also no impact on quality or taste with the harvested fruit receiving similar Brix scores for sugar content and also recording similar levels of acidity to the fruit grown under 100% TL. For some growers, intra-canopy lighting could be exactly what they need to maximize their crops’ potential" Malcolm Yare, Customer Success Director – Horticulture at Current commented: “With global energy prices continuing to rise, and the added pressures of needing to maintain ever-increasing food supplies, growers are looking for any advantage to help them increase production without incurring additional operating costs or sacrificing quality. For some growers, intra-canopy lighting could be exactly what they need to maximize their crops’ potential and secure the future of their business.” Low energy consumption The WUR study also saw the first deployment of Current’s new Arize® Integral ICL fixture, which directs an optimized light spectrum across a wide, 120-degree angle from both sides of the fixture. Offering a lighting output of up to 346 µmol/s and an efficiency of 3.5 µmol/J, the Integral has been designed to deliver high light intensity with low energy consumption, allowing it to integrate seamlessly into existing installations and deliver significant gains. Dr. Hans Spalholz, Horticulture Scientist at Current noted: “We are currently discussing further potential collaboration with Wageningen University & Research to determine the most productive division of light energy between LED top lights and intra-canopy lighting. However, for now, the results at 34% ICL are extremely encouraging and we would certainly recommend that growers of high-wire crops like tomatoes or cucumbers consider applying a high proportion of supplemental light through intra-canopy lighting in order to maximize returns.”

Tetra® signage lighting from GE Current, a Daintree company, the industry’s advanced lighting and controls manufacturer, is for creating unforgettable first impressions. And with five new products that outshine their competition, the Tetra display (booth #4931) is a must-see for ISA International Sign Expo goers in search of superior innovation, quality, and reliability. Visibly better Judged against competitive LED systems, Tetra® LED systems to provide improved brightness and uniformity, easier job site installation, less frequent maintenance, and energy cost reductions for signs, channel letters, and border and canopy lighting. Indoors or out, Tetra enables virtually endless signage applications with a complete roster of flexible, robust products including these exciting options: Tetra® LT offers 24-volt performance at an everyday price. Compared to 12V, 24V systems deliver incredible performance and value, while reducing material and labor, which saves time and money. Available in Deep, Medium, and Shallow sizes, Tetra LT will be the sign shop’s new MVP. Tetra® Contour Flex so you can bend it over and over again. This completely flexible LED neon replacement can be shaped repeatedly with no heating necessary. Mounting clips make installation a cinch, and this plug-and-play system can be custom cut in the field without complicated warranty implications. Tetra® Contour Gen 2 for labor-saving installation. Create vibrant border lighting sections with a neon replacement system that is 80% quicker to install compared to the previous generation. A range of brilliant LED colors lets designers create custom looks. Tetra® EdgeLine for wall wash applications. The slim form factor of this field-cuttable light bar is suitable for mounting in tight application spaces, and its symmetric optical design means it can be installed in any direction and will evenly distribute light precisely where it’s needed. Tetra® Slim EdgeStrip to keep signs on the leading edge of brightness. Cover any angle or curved shape with bright uniform light. This powerful, low-profile, LED strip lighting pumps out a maximum of 235 lumens per module and is easily installed around the edge of shallow- to medium-depth signs—as low as 2" deep. Tetra® has a new shine Visitors will note Tetra’s colorful new logo that nods to the creativity of signmakers everywhere The Tetra® brand will be highlighted in the Current booth at ISA International Sign Expo 2022 in Atlanta. Beyond these buzzworthy product introductions, visitors will note Tetra’s colorful new logo that nods to the creativity of signmakers everywhere. Combining vivid hues in straight and contoured lines that form the letter “t,” the reenergized logo is symbolic of the sparks of ingenuity that drive visionaries to work out the next novel and remarkable ideas for their signs. reliability and innovation “The Tetra® brand benefits from a legacy of reliability, innovation, and performance build over the past 20+ years,” says Mike Doss, VP of Specialty Lighting at Current. “Today, the brand that makes other brands shine has a new logo, and as with our products, it is beautifully simple. With the launch of five products representing the next evolution of sign lighting, we wanted to give our brand a fitting look.” LED sign lighting solutions  ISA attendees are encouraged to let their imaginations loose and explore the possibilities with Current product specialists who will be on hand in booth #4931 throughout the event. Participants can also learn more about a full range of world-class, environmentally responsible LED sign lighting solutions that offer energy savings and long-life capability.