A Free Light Meter App Using Your Smartphone: How to Use PPFD Meter – Grow Light Meter (iPhone / Android)

Have you ever thought to yourself, “I need to measure PPFD”?

Hello everyone! I’m Shohei.

While dedicated PPFD meters are available on the market, there are more convenient options.

This time, I’ll introduce “PPFD Meter – Grow Light Meter,” a free light measurement app that you can use with just your smartphone. This app utilizes the “light intensity sensing sensor” that is standard equipment on smartphones.

It’s a useful tool for producers.

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App Features

Here are the features of the app:

No special settings required; uses the sensor standard equipped on your smartphone
Measures PPFD and DLI (Daily Light Integral)
Visualizes light distribution by area on a map

Let me briefly explain PPFD and DLI.

PPFD (Photosynthetic Photon Flux Density): A unit that represents the density of the photon flux in the wavelength range that plants use for photosynthesis. It is expressed in μmol/m²/s.
DLI (Daily Light Integral): A unit that represents the total PPFD amount per day. It is expressed in mol/m²/day.

In plant factories, providing the appropriate PPFD and DLI for crops is crucial. For example, leafy greens require approximately 200-300 μmol/m²/s of PPFD for growth.

How to Use the App

First, launch the app and tap “PPFD&DLI” to display the measurement screen. To measure light intensity, point your smartphone near the vegetables you are growing. Simply point the smartphone’s sensor toward the light source and hold it still for a few seconds to easily measure PPFD.

The “PAR Map” feature lets you check the light distribution by area on a map.

This map feature helps you understand uneven light distribution within the cultivation area. It’s useful for identifying areas with insufficient light.