**RedFarm RQ200 Quantum Board 200W:
The Precision Engineered LED Solution for Commercial Horticulture**
White Paper v1.0 | July 2025
Executive Summary
The RQ200 addresses critical gaps in compact LED grow systems:
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30% higher photon efficiency vs. entry-level LEDs (2.8 μmol/J)
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Zero light decay at 50,000 hours (vs. industry avg. 10% decay)
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40% lower cooling costs than ceramic metal halide (CMH) alternatives
Validated in 12 commercial facilities (cannabis/microgreens) with 18% avg. yield increase.
1. Problem Statement: Small-Scale Grow Limitations
Industry Challenges:
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Energy Inefficiency: Traditional 315W CMH lights waste 45% energy as heat.
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PPFD Inconsistency: ≥25% variance in entry-level LEDs causes uneven canopy development.
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Scalability Barriers: Fixed-spectrum lights limit crop rotation (e.g., lettuce → basil).
2. Technical Innovation: How RQ200 Solves This
Core Components
| Technology | Specification | Industry Impact |
|---|---|---|
| Samsung LM301H EVO Diodes | 200W True Draw (2.8 μmol/J) | Highest PPE per $ in class |
| Quantum Board Design | 120° Lens + Aluminum Heatsink | 95% uniformity (±5% PPFD variance) |
| Tunable Spectrum | 3000K + 5000K + 660nm Deep Red | DLI optimization for all crops |
| IP65 Driver | Detachable 100–277V PSU | 40°C ambient operation; 50k-hour lifespan |
Third-Party Validation:
Photon Efficiency: 2.81 μmol/J (Intertek Report #LED-2025-8873)
Thermal Management: 55°C max. diode temp (UL Certification 1598)
3. Performance Benchmarking
vs. Competing Systems (2x2ft Coverage)
| Metric | RQ200 | 315W CMH | Generic LED |
|---|---|---|---|
| PPF Output | 560 µmol/s | 510 µmol/s | 440 µmol/s |
| Avg. Efficacy | 2.8 µmol/J | 1.6 µmol/J | 1.9 µmol/J |
| Energy Cost/Year* | $62 | $105 | $78 |
| PAR Uniformity | 95% | 70% | 80% |
*Calculated at $0.15/kWh, 18hr/day
Crop-Specific Results
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Cannabis: 28% higher dry yield (1.9 gpW) vs. CMH (Michigan State Trial, 2024)
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Lettuce: 22% faster harvest cycle (DLI 17 achieved in 14 hrs)
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Basil: 34% increase in essential oil concentration
4. Economic Analysis
ROI Calculation (Single 200W Unit)
| Cost Factor | RQ200 | 315W CMH |
|---|---|---|
| Initial Investment | $219 | $179 |
| Annual Energy Cost | $62 | $105 |
| Annual Bulb Replacement | $0 | $48 |
| 3-Year Total Cost | $405 | $680 |
| Savings with RQ200: $275 per unit over 3 years |
*Break-even point: 8 months (cannabis applications)*
5. Implementation Guidelines
Optimal Deployment
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Canopy Size: 2x2 ft (flowering), 3x3 ft (vegetative)
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Height Adjustment: 12–24" above canopy (dim to 50% for seedlings)
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Environmental Synergy:
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CO2 Supplementation: Max. yield at 1000–1200 ppm
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VPD Control: 0.8–1.2 kPa during flowering
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Maintenance Protocol
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Quarterly: Clean lenses with 70% isopropyl alcohol
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Biannual: Verify PPFD with PAR meter (Apogee MQ-510 recommended)
6. Conclusion: The New Standard for Compact Grows
The RQ200 delivers commercial-grade efficiency at a hobbyist price point, with:
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Lab-validated photon efficiency (top 5% of 2025 LED market)
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Crop-agnostic spectrum flexibility
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Plug-and-play scalability (daisy-chain up to 20 units)
Recommended For:
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Cannabis micro-cultivation licenses
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Vertical herb farms
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Research greenhouse compartments
*“The RQ200 reduced our facility’s kWh/lb by 41% versus CMH—payback in 6 months.”*
— Garden State Greenhouses, NJ
Request a Commercial Quote: RQ200 Bulk Pricing
Technical Support: Greta@redfarmhydro.com
References:
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Michigan State LED Cannabis Trials (2024)
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DOE Solid-State Lighting Report (2025)
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Intertek Certification #LED-2025-8873