Abstract: Method for optimizing plant production in a cost effective manner. System (100) includes a processor (102) in communication with resource controllers (110, 112) for controlling resources (106, 108) such as, for example, lighting and carbon dioxide. Each resource has a cost that varies temporally or with other factors. The processor implements an algorithm that receives a desired plant production rate and other input, such as operating conditions of the system and environment, and determines amounts of each resource to expend consistent with plant production goals and resource costs.

Abstract: Method and system for optimizing plant production in a cost effective manner. System (100) includes a processor (102) in communication with resource controllers (110, 112) for controlling resources (106, 108) such as, for example, lighting and carbon dioxide. Each resource has a cost that varies temporally or with other factors. The processor implements an algorithm that receives a desired plant production rate and other input, such as operating conditions of the system and environment, and determines amounts of each resource to expend consistent with plant production goals and resource costs.

Abstract: A method for controlling greenhouse light employs first and second algorithms for controlling a supplemental lighting system and a shade control system, respectively, in a greenhouse. The lighting control algorithm controls actuation of electric lamps in the greenhouse based upon a plurality of rules. These rules employ weather and climate data, accumulated and calculated photosynthetic photon flux (PPF) data and off-peak electricity rate hour data to provide uniform daily integrated PPF values in the most cost efficient manner. The shade control algorithm works in conjunction with the lighting control algorithm to insure that the daily PPF values do not exceed a target value on days when the PPF accumulated from solar insolation exceeds the target value. The shade control algorithm operates very precisely to avoid an over shading condition which would require undesirable actuation of the supplemental lighting control system for compensation.