Optimizing photosyntethic photon flux density distribution in vertical farms

The business model of indoor cultivation systems is sensitive to the energy consumption of LED lighting. Our objective was to measure and optimize photosynthetic photon flux density (PPFD) distribution in a vertical farm, where luminaires are in close proximity to the growing plants. We recorded spectral irradiance on a 10 × 10 measurement grid. The height and the horizontal gap between the adjacent lightbars were the two factors incorporated in the model. We present data on three response functions: diversity, the useful photosynthetic photon flux and the minimum dimming level required to adjust the minimum of the PPFD distribution at the light saturation point of the grown crop.