Nonresidential Controlled Environment Horticulture

Proposal Description

Currently, luminaires or lamps used for plant growth in facilities with more than 40 kW of horticultural lighting load must meet differing requirements depending on facility type. The code distinguishes requirements for indoor grow facilities from those for greenhouses (which have access to daylight).

For indoor growing facilities, luminaires or lamps must have a photosynthetic photon efficacy (PPE) of at least 1.9 micromoles per joule (µmol/J). For plant growth in greenhouses they must have a PPE of at least 1.7 µmol/J. Both these requirements can be met by using double-ended high-pressure sodium (HPS) technology, a legacy product that has been in the Controlled Environment Horticulture (CEH) market for over a decade. For the 2025 cycle, the Statewide CASE Team analyzed the potential for increasing the minimum PPE levels for luminaires and lamps used to grow plants in both facility types to an efficacy of at least 2.3 µmol/J. This change would require the use of LEDs, as high pressure sodium (HPS) and ceramic metal halides would not be able to meet this PPE.

The Statewide CASE Team also investigated the potential for requiring controls that operate indoor lighting systems based on Photosynthetic Photon Flux Density (PPFD) and Daily Light Integral (DLI). The Team determined that these control systems are still in an early adoption stage and could benefit from further experience and performance validation, which could be achieved through inclusion in an emerging technology program. The Statewide CASE Team is interested in revisiting the potential for this technology for the 2028 code cycle.

Relevant Documents

CASE Report

• Final CASE Report – Controlled Environment Horticulture (UPDATE: CASE Report was revised October 2023)
• Draft CASE Report – Controlled Environment Horticulture

Round Two Utility-Sponsored Stakeholder Meeting Materials

• Controlled Environment Horticulture – Presentation (May 16, 2023)
• Controlled Environment Horticulture – Proposal Summary
• Meeting Notes – May 16, 2023

Round One Utility-Sponsored Stakeholder Meeting Materials

• Stakeholder Meetings Introduction
• Controlled Environment Horticulture – Presentation (Feb. 9, 2023)
• Controlled Environment Horticulture – Proposal Summary
• February 9, 2023 Meeting Notes