Features Lighting Structures & Equipment
Hybrid lighting approach with tomatoes

Jan. 8, 2013, Bergschenhoek , the Netherlands — The lamps at Jami VOF, a
tomato grower and a member of the Van Nature growers association, have
been on since the second half of November.

Jan. 8, 2013, Bergschenhoek , the Netherlands — The lamps at Jami VOF, a tomato grower and a member of the Van Nature growers association, have been on since the second half of November.

A great deal of planning was done on installing the right lighting on Jami’s three hectares. The hybrid installation is a combination of Philips HID and LED lighting.

According to Andy de Jong, one of the three partners at Jami, the plants are growing as expected.

“It’s great to see the plants develop and grow under the light. The LEDs give off an impressive purple glow, though the white top lighting system makes it bright enough for us to work here without difficulty. We keep the lights on all day until six o’clock in evening.”

The first harvest is expected to begin this week. These clusters were grown when only HID lighting was used. In about a month’s time, the company will harvest tomatoes that have developed under LEDs.

“These bunches look promising already,” said de Jong. He is quite enthusiastic about the investment in the new hybrid lighting system. This system consists of a combination of Philips GreenPower Plus 1000W top lighting (HID) and a double row of Philips GreenPower LED interlighting, both supplied by Lights Interaction Agro b.v.

The decision to invest in lighting at Jami was prompted by customer demand for high-quality tomatoes in the winter. Van Nature aims to supply customers all year round, and the lighting is essential.

Given the combination of additional production per square metre, efficient energy consumption and the average prices for winter tomatoes, Jami officials say the lighting investment is paying off. “Of course I notice that the sector is looking closely at what will happen here,” said Michel Zwinkels of Jami.

“After all, we are the first to invest in hybrid lighting to this extent. We’re certain that it’s a sound and forward-looking investment for ourselves and for Van Nature.”