Cree boosts horticultural red led efficiency

Cree is aiming at horticulture lighting with a 660nm red led that is 6% more efficient than its XP-G3 Photo Red S Line devices.

Cree XP-L horticultural red

Called the XP-L Photo Red S Line, “this extra performance can be used to lower Photo Red LED count in luminaires by 35% while still maintaining the same total system efficiency”, according to the company.

A typical wall-plug efficiency of 83.5% is claimed at 700mA and 25°C.


Both the above devices have the same 3.45 x 3.45mm ‘XP’ footprint, and the new parts have been designed for good sulphur and corrosion resistance, saod Cree LED.


Forward voltage is typically 1.92V (25°C 700mA) with -0.9mV/°C temperature coefficient.

Maximum drive current is 1.5A, maximum junction temperature is 150°C, and junction to solder point thermal resistance is 1.15°C/W.

Its primary lens gives this led a viewing angle of 125° FWHM (so ±62.5° to half intensity).

Depending on the chosen group, peak wavelength can be between 650 and 670nm, and dominant wavelength is typically 645nm.

There are two minimum radiant flux options: 1.135 or 1.085W (25°C, 700mA) which equates to 6.16 or 5.89μmol/s biological intensity.

Find the data sheet here

Steve Bush

Steve Bush is the long-standing technology editor for Electronics Weekly, covering electronics developments for more than 25 years. He has a particular interest in the Power and Embedded areas of the industry. He also writes for the Engineer In Wonderland blog, covering 3D printing, CNC machines and miscellaneous other engineering matters.

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