Albany, California, USA
July 21, 2014

The Albany City Council will publicly recognize the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) Western Regional Research Center for its work to reduce greenhouse gas emissions at a Council meeting on July 21st. The USDA recently completed a lighting retrofit of their greenhouses that will conserve nearly 440,000 kWh per year or the equivalent of 105 metric tons of carbon emissions. It is estimated that this project will lead to a one percent reduction in citywide commercial electricity usage.

LumiGrow, Inc. provided LED greenhouse luminaires that reduce light pollution and reduce energy usage by 40 -70%. Unlike conventional greenhouse lights, LumiGrow LED light fixtures emit a targeted red and blue light mix required for photosynthesis. USDA scientists have already noted improved crop yields with the new lights. The luminaires are manufactured in Alameda County, California.

Chris Carter, an administrator in the office of Western Regional Research Center Director Howard Zhang, said "Our scientists conducted tests and found favorable results as to energy savings. They came up with an estimate of $200,000 yearly savings on the electric bill," Carter said. The tests also indicated favorable results as to "growth time production and water use," Carter said. The center got higher yields on plants including winter wheat during the experiments, he said.

The City of Albany applauds the USDA for helping to meet citywide energy-efficiency and emissions reductions goals. The City of Albany has been a leader in the fight against climate change, having adopted a Climate Action Plan in 2010, which aims to reduce the city's carbon emissions to 25% below 2004 baseline emission levels by 2010. Learn more about the City's Climate Action Plan.
 

Website: http://www.lumigrow.com

Published: July 21, 2014