Introducing Approximated PAR Sum

Get precise daily light data for your crop, no PAR sensor required

You can now access Approximated PAR Sum directly within Source. Instead of relying on total radiation measurements that include light your plants can't use, this metric focuses on the 400 to 700 nm spectrum, the wavelengths that actually drive photosynthesis. It's calculated every five minutes using your existing greenhouse data, with no additional hardware needed.

What this means for your operation:

Standard weather stations measure total solar energy, but much of that energy falls outside the range plants use for growth. This gap becomes especially significant if you use artificial lighting. HPS and LED systems emit light in a completely different spectrum from the sun, and converting that output into joules is technically inconsistent. PAR from daylight and PAR from artificial lights can simply be added together, giving you a number that reflects what your crop can actually use for photosynthesis.

The Approximated PAR Sum reconstructs your light environment by combining real-time radiation data from your weather station with adjustments for structural transmission through the greenhouse glass, screen positions, and the specific output of your HPS or LED systems.

If you already have a PAR sensor:

This feature doubles as a diagnostic tool. Physical sensors are susceptible to dust, shading, and calibration drift over time. By comparing your sensor readings against the Approximated PAR Sum, you can flag discrepancies early and maintain data integrity across your operation.

Why this matters for growth modeling:

Moving from total radiation to PAR as the basis for daily light tracking leads to more realistic plant modeling and more predictable harvest cycles. Every grower on Source now has access to high-fidelity PAR metrics, regardless of their sensor setup.