First a little history lesson on lighting. PAR and PAR watts are terms associated with
“white light” based products such as fluorescent, HID, HPS, MH, and incandescent. Before
SolarOasis introduced LEDs to the grower in 2002 (SolarOasis holds the first patent for a
consumer LED technology grow light), all measurements of light energy were based on
white light products. However, white light products produce a lot more energy than plants
can use. A typical white light product produces light wavelengths from 380nm (UV) up to
and beyond 880nm (IR). Plants, on the other hand, primarily use light wavelengths from
400nm (blue) to 700 nm (red). This range of light wavelengths has been labeled PAR or
Photo synthetically Active Radiation. On average, nearly 82% of a traditional white light
product’s light energy is of little benefit to plant growth, and in most cases is harmful to
plant health. In a typical HID, HPS, or MH light bulb this harmful energy is in the form of
intense heat (IR) and ultraviolet radiation (UV) that you cannot see but can certainly feel.
Traditional lights were manufactured to “light” rooms and warehouses, not grow plants.
This meant that the light needed to address the peak wavelengths of the human eye,
primarily yellow and green, which is perceived by the human eye as “bright” light. Modern
white lights for plant growth are little more than factory lighting with small impurities added
to throw out a few spikes of extra color. Plants grow, but only because of the nature and
the brute force of many watts of power. Plants cast off white light for the most part. This
is why the leaves of most plants look green. Most of the white light is reflected by the plant
and not absorbed.
In summary, the true value of any light source for growing plants is based on the user’s
desired results. We used to have only one option. Purchase a light bulb and if the bulb was
big enough (watts of power used from your wall socket), and close enough (without
burning your plant to ash) your plants would grow. The LED Grow Master grow lights
produce only light that plants can use for growth, health, smell, and taste, giving us a new
option for efficiency and minimal environmental impact.–CEO SolarOasis