As an owner of a CEA business, one of the biggest financial investments you will likely have to make for your business is the selection and purchase of a supplemental lighting system. Whether you are growing in a greenhouse or in an indoor facility, choosing the right grow lights is essential to ensure that you achieve proper crop yields and plant health, as well as meeting your production goals.
The consequences of choosing the wrong grow lights can be dire. If you choose incorrectly, you could experience poor plant growth, loss of yield or entire crops, and financial losses. With the cost of any horticulture lighting system—HID, LED or a hybrid—being a significant investment, you will want to make sure you choose the right manufacturer for your exact lighting needs. Of course, there are numerous horticultural lighting manufacturers to choose from, so we have put together some information you may want to consider when looking for premium grow lights for a new or retrofit CEA lighting project.
ADVANTAGES OF CHOOSING A NORTH AMERICAN GROW LIGHT MANUFACTURER
- Commitment to North American quality standards and certifications
- Understanding of North American horticulture markets
- Local dedicated sales, customer service and technical support
- Local warehouse with parts, service, and warranty inventory
How do you go about choosing the right supplemental lighting company?
One of the first steps in selecting new commercial grow lights, is choosing an experienced and respected lighting manufacturer. One of the very few companies that manufactures its luminaires in North America is P.L. Light Systems, located in Hamilton, Ontario.
P.L. Light Systems has been delivering professional, high quality, supplemental light systems to the North American horticultural industry for over 45 years. The company manufactures its products in Southern Ontario, close to the Canadian/US border and near all major transportation routes.
Local Warehouse with parts, service, and warranty inventory
As a project-based company, P.L. Light Systems only produces products specific to a confirmed order. Typically, this means growers will need to give a lead time of 10-12 weeks when purchasing new grow lights for larger project installations, allowing for the customized assembly of each fixture. However, P.L. Light Systems does keep an on-site inventory of replacement parts that ensure a timely and efficient turnaround for warranty, repairs, and maintenance as well as replacement ballasts and lamps.
Due to our expertise in the market, we understand the strict time schedules of CEA growers and their seasons and we seek to ensure that we are fully stocked with replacement parts when, for example, growers are doing maintenance such as re-lamping or replacements. Our central location in Southern Ontario means that you will receive your parts (in most cases) within a few days.
Commitment to North American Quality Standards and Certifications
As noted earlier, many horticulture lighting manufacturers claiming to be North American companies actually source all their components from offshore suppliers and then just assemble them in North America; or even buy fully assembled luminaires from overseas OEM manufacturers and simply apply their name to the products. That doesn’t necessarily mean that these luminaires and/or components are poor quality, however, when you choose products manufactured in North America there is typically a higher level of assurance and accountability.
Two important factors to consider when purchasing lights are quality standards and certifications. Before you buy, it is important to make sure that your lights have been certified for safe electrical use In North America by an accredited certification body such as CSA or UL. In addition, it is also important that your lights are listed on the DLC Qualified Product List (QPL) so you know their outputs have been tested by an accredited third-party lab, and that what you are buying will perform as the manufacturer has claimed. (DLC listing is also a must for anyone who is planning on applying for energy rebates on their lights).
fully understanding the Terms and conditions of your purchase
When you are sourcing a new or retrofit lighting system for your CEA facility, you want to make sure you understand the terms and conditions of your purchase before you sign. One of the best ways to do this is to go through the lighting manufacturer’s quote with your sales representative to ensure you are clear on every aspect of the sales contract. The experienced sales team at P.L. Light Systems has a commitment to helping customers understand all aspects of their lighting purchase before making a decision.
Also, you will want to understand exactly what the company’s warranties cover. Our company is known for our uncompromising commitment to quality, backed up by our comprehensive warranty policy.
You will also want to know that if something goes wrong, or if you need service or parts, you have ready access to the support you need. P.L. Lights Systems’ sales team is dedicated to serving our customers, with Regional Sales Managers across North America assigned to support specific states and provinces. This team is backed up by an inside sales team, technical team and customer service team that is available Monday to Friday (EST) 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Your calls and questions will be answered in person during working hours and our team members strive to respond as quickly as possible.
Caveat Emptor – A final word on buying from an overseas manufacturer
One final consideration when purchasing from a North American lighting manufacturer, is the buyer’s responsibility for understanding import duties, taxes, and shipping costs. Especially in 2026, given the unpredictable shifts in global trade.
Many customers are not aware that many products manufactured in China and delivered directly to the US, are subject to a 35% import tariff and other taxes and import duties, which you—the customer—could be personally responsible for if those costs have not been already factored into your purchase.
So, if you are purchasing commercial grow lights as a US customer, it is even more important to read the sales terms and conditions to avoid any unexpected costs. Shipping costs can also be a major factor when purchasing lights manufactured outside of North America, so be sure to get a shipping quote in writing before you sign.
If you are currently considering the purchase of a new or retrofit lighting system and are considering all the factors before making your purchase, then we invite you to reach out to one of our experienced sales professionals at P.L. Light Systems. We will be happy to meet with you by phone, on a video call, or in-person and help you get the exact lighting system you need for your operational goals.
Updated: May 2026
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