Cree LED and SANlight Partner to Advance High-Efficiency Horticulture Lighting

Key Terms

μmol/J technical

μmol/J (micromoles per joule) is a measure of how many micromoles of photons useful for photosynthesis are produced for each joule of electrical energy consumed, commonly used to rate the efficiency of grow lights and horticultural LEDs. Investors care because it’s like the fuel economy number for lighting: higher μmol/J means more useful light for less electricity, lowering operating costs and improving product competitiveness and margin potential.

lm-80 technical

LM-80 is an industry standard test that measures how much an LED light source’s brightness decreases over time by tracking its light output under controlled conditions. Investors use LM-80 results as a proxy for product durability and long-term operating costs—like checking a battery’s decline rate—because better retention of brightness means fewer replacements, lower warranty risk, and more reliable performance for buyers.

ip68 technical

IP68 is a standardized durability rating that means a device is fully sealed against dust and can withstand continuous immersion in water to a specified depth and time. For investors, an IP68 claim signals better product durability and consumer appeal, potentially lowering returns and warranty costs while supporting higher pricing and market competitiveness — much like a waterproof, airtight lunchbox that survives rough handling and accidental drops into water.

photobiology medical

Photobiology is the study of how light interacts with living cells, tissues and organisms — including beneficial uses like light-based therapies and risks such as UV damage. For investors, it matters because advances or safety findings in this field can create new products, change regulatory requirements, affect clinical trial outcomes, or alter market demand for devices and treatments that rely on controlled light exposure. Think of it as understanding how sunlight can be both medicine and hazard, which guides commercial value and risk.

vertical farming technical

Vertical farming is a method of growing crops in stacked layers inside controlled indoor spaces, using artificial light, climate control, and often hydroponic or aeroponic systems instead of soil. For investors, it matters because it promises higher yields on smaller footprints, year-round production, and supply-chain resilience like moving a field into a building, but it also involves heavy upfront costs, energy use and technology risk that affect returns.

DURHAM, N.C.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Cree LED, a Penguin Solutions brand (Nasdaq: PENG), and SANlight GmbH, Schruns, Austria, today announced a partnership under which SANlight will use Cree LED’s J Series^® products in its new STIXX-Series luminaires.

Cree LED and SANlight announced a partnership under which SANlight will use Cree LED’s J Series® products in its new STIXX-Series luminaires which are well-suited for horticulture applications while optimizing yield, plant quality and energy consumption.

Developed for applications with limited space, the STIXX fixtures feature a slim, space-saving design with module efficiency of up to 3.1 μmol/J. Backed by LM-80 testing with TM-21 lifetimes exceeding 53,000 hours, the luminaires deliver exceptional reliability and long service life. Advanced secondary optics not only direct light with maximum efficiency to the canopy, but also fully protect the LEDs, achieving an outstanding IP68 rating for dust and water resistance – ensuring both performance and durability in any environment.

“With Cree LED’s leadership in LEDs and established track record in optimizing solutions for horticulture, this partnership with SANlight is a natural fit,” said Joe Clark, president, Cree LED. “SANlight brings a deep understanding of photobiology and a commitment to sustainable agronomy – both of which align perfectly with our mission to enable breakthrough lighting performance for growers worldwide.”

“Innovation, precision and quality are at the heart of SANlight, and choosing Cree LED as our technology partner ensures that every grower can experience lighting that maximizes yield and efficiency,” said Martin Anker, CEO, SANlight GmbH. “The optimized full spectrum supports vigorous growth and healthy plant structure throughout both the vegetative and generative phases.”

With its modular design and versatility, the STIXX-Series can serve as a classic toplight, undercanopy light or in vertical farming applications. The system can be easily adapted to different growing setups – delivering uniform, diffused light at both low and high intensities to optimize yield, quality and energy consumption.

SANlight will be demonstrating the STIXX fixtures at the MJBizCon tradeshow, booth #N15014, December 2-5, 2025 in Las Vegas. To learn more about SANlight, visit www.sanlight.com. To learn more about Cree LED’s horticulture solutions, visit: www.cree-led.com/products/applications/horticulture/.

About Cree LED

Cree LED, a Penguin Solutions brand, offers one of the industry’s broadest portfolios of application-optimized LED chips and components, leading the industry in performance and reliability. With more than 35 years of innovation, our strong IP portfolio and unique business model ensures supply chain continuity. We deliver best-in-class technology and breakthrough solutions for focused applications in high power and mid-power general lighting, portable lighting, horticulture, specialty lighting and video screens. For more information, visit cree-led.com.

About SANlight GmbH

SANlight is an Austrian company specializing in advanced, energy-efficient LED lighting solutions for both commercial and home gardening. Drawing on extensive experience in horticulture and deep expertise in photonics and semiconductor technology, SANlight develops high-performance products designed to optimize plant growth. Since 2023, the company has also operated a U.S. subsidiary, SANlight Americas LLC, based in Florida. For more information, visit www.sanlight.com.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20251202425973/en/

Cree LED Media Relations

Debi Polo

Sr. Manager, Marketing Communications, CreeLED, Inc.

debi.polo@cree-led.com

Penguin Solutions

Maureen O’Leary, Director Corporate Communications

pr@penguinsolutions.com

SANlight Media

Frederik Brust

Chief Marketing & Sales Officer, SANlight

pr@sanlight.com

Source: Penguin Solutions, Inc.