Florawave G330FS2.6 vs. 600W HPS

Here's a head to head comparison between the Florawave G330FS2.6 and the Phillips 600 watt high pressure sodium bulb (HPS) for a medium sized grow tent application.  HPS has long been the gold standard for efficiency and productivity in grow tents for high light applications.  Here's the assumptions for the comparison:

• PPF output within 6% (804µmol s⁻¹ Phillips HPS vs 858µmol s⁻¹ Florawave G330FS2.6).
• PPE of 1.34 for the HPS (Radetsky 2018), 2.6 for the GC330FS2.6
• Average of a 14 hour photoperiod (12 hours winter, 16 hours summer, 14 hours spring/fall)
• Electric cost of $.15/KW.  (average cost in the USA.  Can be 2x or more in Europe)
• Air conditioning removes heat generated from the lights.
• HPS bulb is replaced each year.

RESULTS: The HPS setup is significantly cheaper up front.  At 1 year, the overall cost of ownership of the HPS is slightly less than the G330FS2.6.  However, by year 2, the G330FS2.6 is 10% cheaper.  By the end of year 5, the G330FS2.6 yields a 50% overall cost savings all while producing 6% more PPF. The localized environment in the upper portions of the grow tent would be lower due to the reduced heat output of the LED fixture (see Thermal Considerations for more discussion on this).