I reviewed the California Lightworks SolarSystem series and this is what I think...

The California Lightworks SolarSystem series is a major breakthrough in horticultural lighting. The series was introduced late-2016 and stands second in the lineup after the original SolarStorm series, released several years ago by California Lightworks. While the SolarStorm series was more focused on home growers, the SolarSystem series offers a turn-key lighting solution for all growers.

A few of the noticeable upgrades from the SolarStorm includes:

• Better heatsink design (casing/body is aluminum and IS the actual heat sink
• More efficient diodes
• More PAR (higher light intensity)

This review of the California Lightworks SolarSystem series will not cover a specific fixture, but instead, I will review the entire series with the applicable mention of the individual models. I will provide you with an overview of the SolarSystem series and also help you determine which LED grow light(s) is right for you and your plants.

So, let’s take a dive into the SolarSystem series to learn more about how California Lightworks is rapidly advancing LED grow technology. 

Near the end of the review, find out how much you can save on California Lightworks with a special discount code.

 

 

California Lightworks SolarSystem Review

 

Series Overview

One of the first things you might notice is that the SolarSystem series is quite diverse. There are three sizes of primary grow lights—SS1100, SS550 and SS275. These are the main grow lights from the series. The other two lights—the Far Red and UVB—are meant as supplementary lights.

However, there are actually two versions of the SolarSytem 550—Full-Cycle and Veg—and three versions of the SolarSystem 275—Full-Cycle, Veg and Bloom.

Therefore, the entire lineup looks like this:

• SolarSystem 1100
• Full-Cycle
• SolarSystem 550
• Full-Cycle
• Veg
• SolarSystem 275
• Full-Cycle
• Veg Master
• Bloom Booster
• SolarSystem Far Red    *not available yet
• SolarSystem UVB    *not available yet
• SolarSystem Controller

So, what makes the SolarSystem series so unique?...

The California Lightworks SolarSystem series is a modular grow light system which allows growers full customization over their lighting via:

• Spectral control through 3 different channels: red, blue and white
• Dimming from 0-100%
• Daily/weekly/monthly scheduling, sunrise/sunset and seasonal variation

All of the SolarSystem fixtures can be operated manually or with a proprietary wireless controller. In manual mode (without a controller), the light intensity is always set at 100% and you are not able to adjust the spectrum or intensity. Timing cannot be controlled either unless you use a wall timer.

 

The system is really designed to be used with the controller, so I suggest purchasing one to get the full benefits of the fixture(s). You can connect as many SolarSystem series lights to one controller as you would like (not to exceed 1000 units). One thing to keep in mind, is that the controller can only control one particular setup at a time. For example, if you have several SolarSystem 1100s, Far Red and UVB units in one setup, and several SolarSystem 550 Veg units and 275 units in another setup, you can not control both setups independently. You would need two controllers—one for the first setup and one for the second setup.

 

Diodes

California Lightworks uses some of the best diodes in the industry. They incorporate 5-watt Osram diodes into every grow fixture they make. California Lightworks is consistently benchmarking Osram, Cree and Philips to ensure they are always using the most efficient diodes possible.

The LEDs are brought in from Osram and are assembled onto the custom PCB by California Lightworks' pick-and-place machine.

Image: California Lightworks SolarSystem diode assembly onto PCB

California Lightworks only uses metal-core printed circuit boards (MCPCB), specifically designed for the diode's layout. It is very important for heat management to have high-quality PCBs and quality LEDs with ceramic packaging. These features draw the heat away from the diode to ensure high-efficiency and a long lifetime.  

Image: SolarSystem 550 Osram diodes

Pros

• 5-watt, Osram diodes
• Custom, metal-core PCB
• Diodes are placed on PCB in-house 

Cons

• None 

 

 

Optics

Optics are an important consideration because they determine how the emitted light is transmitted to the canopy and beyond. The light can radiate in a narrow beam or a wide beam. Narrow beams produce higher PAR levels but less coverage, while wider beam can lead to lower PAR levels but a wider coverage area. Sometimes secondary optics are used to decrease the beam angle.

California Lightworks does not use secondary optics over their diodes. This is similar to what Black Dog LED does on their PhytoMAX-2 series. The reason for this is because 5-watt diodes exude a lot of photons per watt and provide enough intensity to register high PAR levels. Secondary optics reduce the efficiency of the diode since a lot of light can be lost due to reflection and refraction inside of the optic.

Furthermore, the lack of secondary optics allows for a more even coverage area instead of a hot spot in the center of the fixture's footprint. This is especially important for growers who grow in grow rooms or greenhouses where the fixtures are placed far above the plants. The wider beam angle enables the light to mix evenly before it hits the canopy while increasing canopy penetration.

Pros

• No secondary optics used to ensure even coverage with no hotspots

Cons

• None

 

 

Wattage

The maximum wattage draw of each of the SolarSystem grow lights is as follows:

• SolarSystem 1100
• Full-Cycle: 800 watts (1000 watt HID replacement)
• SolarSystem 550
• Full-Cycle: 400 watts (600 watt HID replacement)
• Veg: 400 watts (600 watt HID replacement)
• SolarSystem 275
• Full-Cycle: 200 watts (400 watt HID replacement)
• Veg Master: 200 watts (400 watt HID replacement)
• Bloom Booster: 200 watts (400 watt HID replacement)
• SolarSystem Far Red: 100 watts
• SolarSystem UVB: 25 watts

Note: Don't confuse the numbers in the title of the fixture for the actual wattage draw or the fixture's HID replacement equivalent.

The lights are simply more powerful than a lot of other LED grow lights out there and California Lightworks makes accurate claims about their coverage area, so they can guarantee their lights work great for Veg and Flower in the recommended footprint.

Yet, the wattage should not tell you how large of an area the fixture will cover, and instead is more accurately used to calculate energy usage. Different LED grow lights will cover different size spaces depending on the efficiency of the unit. Some grow lights do a better job at covering more space than other grow lights.

For example, California Lightworks states that their SolarSystem 1100 will cover a 4x4 space for flowering. I have seen other lights that cover a 4x4 space for flowering that might only draw 500 watts, yet these lights typically have a lower intensity at that coverage area than the SolarSystem 1100. 

Image: SolarSystem 1100 full-spectrum LED grow light

Here's why: The SolarSystem emits photons at a rate of 1284 micromoles/second (PPF) which is quite high. This is on par with Black Dog LEDs PhytoMAX-2 800 LED grow light. Extrapolating from Black Dog LEDs data, we can conclude that the SolarSystem 1100 emits about an average of 800 PPFD over a 4x4 area. This is sufficient for flowering. If one wanted to, they could probably increase the flowering footprint to a 4.5'x 4.5' or 5' x 5', but the final yields would not be as large.

Another great thing about the series is that it can be dimmed via the external digital controller, which can help reduce wattage consumption if the extra power is not needed. For example, you can turn down the reds for Veg and turn off the UVB units until the last couple weeks of Flower.

Overall, the SolarSystem series is efficient and will save you on electricity costs, while delivering high-quality intense light to your plants.

Pros

• Accurate claims regarding wattage draw
• Intensity can be dimmed to reduce wattage consumption and save on energy

Cons

• None

 

 

Spectrum

The biggest advantage of the SolarSystem series spectrum is that it is fully-customizable. This can be done using the optional external controller. For larger grows, you can use the external controller, but you can also customize the ratio of different models you include in your grow setup. For example, you might have:

• 12 x 1100
• 4 x 550 Veg
• 12 x Far Red
• 12 x UVB

Or, instead you might consider:

• 4 x 550
• 4 x 550 Veg
• 2 x Far Red
• 4 x UVB

The combination of lights depends on your setup and what you are growing. Plants will grow well under the primary SolarSystem grow lights, but adding the UV and IR can be a boon. Just remember that the Far Red fixture covers up to a 5' x 5' and the UV fixture will cover about a 4' x 4' area. 

Spectral Curves

The spectral curves below are assuming all of the LEDs are turned up to 100% intensity. The ratios can be manipulated. It should be noted that manipulating the intensities will decrease the intensity.

 

SolarSystem 1100, 550, 275

 

SolarSystem 550 Veg

 

SolarSystem Far Red

 

SolarSystem UVB

California Lightworks SolarSystem full-cycle spectrum contains a blue:red ratio of about 0.7:1. The high amount of blue is ideal for increasing quality (resin production) in the flowers. The white diodes also bring in a little bit of green into the spectrum to help naturalize the would-be blurple (blue and purple light) and to assist photosynthesis (as green as been shown to do in scientific studies: see here and here).

The Veg spectrum has slightly more blue added to it, providing the high energy blue light that plants need to grow lush foliage while reducing stretch.

The UVB light has been shown to increase trichome and resin production, boosting terpenes, THC, CBD, flavonoids and other compounds.

Image: SolarSystem UVB grow light

During Veg, far red can boost photosynthesis via the Emerson effect. When used during flowering, far red shortens the length of the dark period, allowing for longer days for vegging.

When the full-cycle, UVB and far red spectrums are put together, you have a full spectrum lighting system tuned to your strain's exact requirements. 

In sum, the breadth, versatility and tunability of the SolarSystem's spectrum makes this series the best complete LED lighting on the market.

Pros

• Fully customizable spectrum 
• Excellent spectrum for plant growth and flowering
• UVB and IR wavelengths can be added as separate fixtures

Cons

• Some growers might want UVB and IR in a single primary grow fixture

 

 

PAR / PPF

• SS1100 PPF Output: 1284 umol/s
• SS550 PPF Output: 620 umol/s
• SS550 PPF Output: 642 umol/s 
• SS275 PPF Output: 350 umol/s

No PPF data is available for UV and Far Red since these wavelengths fall out of the typical PAR range of 400-700nm).

While California Lightworks has not released PAR maps for the SolarSystem series, I have acquired some PPFD measurements comparing the SolarSystem 550 (400 watts) to a 600 watt HPS:

Image: SolarSystem 550 vs 600 watt HPS PPFD comparison 

As you can see, the SolarSystem 550 draws less power and more PAR than a 600-watt HPS.

Pros

• High PPF in relation to wattage draw
• The primary grow lights in the SolarSystem series outperform HPS lighting

Cons

• No accessible PAR maps (yet)
• Consideration: PAR decreases when spectrum/intensity is dimmed

Image: High-intensity PAR under the SolarSystem 550

 

 

Coverage Area 

The recommended coverage areas for the SolarSystem series can be found below:

• SolarSystem 1100
• Full-Cycle:
• Veg: up to 8' x 8' (64 sq ft)
• Bloom: 4' x 4' (16 sq ft)
• SolarSystem 550
• Full-Cycle: 
• Veg: up to 4' x 8' (32 sq ft)
• Bloom: 2' x 4' (8 sq ft) to 3' x 4' (12 sq ft)
• Veg: Up to 6' x 8' (48 sq ft)
• SolarSystem 275
• Full-Cycle
• Veg: up to 5' x 5' (25 sq ft)
• Bloom: 3' x 3' (9 sq ft)
• Veg Master
• 5' x 5' (25 sq ft)
• Bloom Booster
• 3' x 3' (9 sq ft)
• SolarSystem Far Red: Veg and bloom: up to 5' x 5' (25 sq ft)
• SolarSystem UVB: Veg and bloom: up to 4' x 4' (16 sq ft)

Pros

• Coverage areas are similar to HPS (while drawing fewer watts and exuding more light)

Cons

• None 

 

 

Heat Management

Heat sinks

As depicted in the Construction section above, the heatsinks are massive in relation to the size of the grow light. The heatsinks are made in-house from extruded aluminum and are the contributing factor to the final shape of the SolarSystem series. By using 2-3x more aluminum than their competitors, California Lightworks is able to drive the LEDs to near their full capacity without any degradation in LED quality or lifespan.

Image: California Lightworks SolarSystem 275

Fans

The fans on the SolarSystem series are rated at 50,000 hours and are water, dust and humidity resistant. They are installed on top of the SolarSystem units near the end of the manufacturing process. The fans are low-velocity, but move a lot of air from the above the unit, onto the heatsinks, and out the sides. They reside under a protective cover, allowing them to be very easily replaced compared to many other LED grow lights in which the user needs to open the entire casing to gain access to the fans.

Image: Solarsystem 550 fan assembly

Pros

• Heatsinks: 2-3 times more aluminum than competitors
• Most of the fixture is the heatsink, allowing excellent heat dissipation
• Fans have long lifespan and are very efficient
• Fans are easily accessible and replaceable

Cons

• None

 

 

ROI

California Lightworks state a fast return on investment for their SolarSystem series. While the initial cost of LED grow lights can be more than traditional lighting, the fixtures will save you on energy costs over the long-term. 

The flower quality and yield increase with plants grown with LED grow lights is the quickest ROI that the grower will notice.

Image: SolarSystem 550 spectrum

 

 

How To Use

All of the units in the SolarSystem series are very easy to use. Simply attach the metal hangers to the unit and hang them with ratchet hangers to an attachment above.

The units come with a 120VAC power cord, but the units contain automatic voltage recognition from 90-277VAC. Once the unit is plugged into a power source, flip the power switch on.

If connecting multiple units to one controller, use the RJ11 data connection cable between each unit. The controller can be used to setup the different program schedules. 

Pros

• Easy installation

Cons

• Controller functions need to be learned in order to fully integrate the units

 

 

Warranty And Returns

The California Lightworks SolarSystem series has a 5-year warranty and 90-day return policy. All warranty items are returned to California Lightworks for a fast turn-around time.

All returns within the return window are subject to a 15% restocking fee. However, customers are usually very happy with their purchase(s) and items are rarely returned.

Pros

• Long warranty
• Items are serviced in the USA, not overseas

Cons

• None

 

 

Included In The Box

• SolarSystem grow light
• Power cable
• Data communication cable for greenhouse or grow room applications
• Instructions
• Controller sold separately

 

Image: SolarSystem 550 unboxing

 

 

Pricing

• SolarSystem 1100
• Full-Cycle: $1599.00
• SolarSystem 550
• Full-Cycle: $799.00
• Veg: $799.00
• SolarSystem 275
• Full-Cycle: $489.00
• Veg Master: $489.00
• Bloom Booster: $489.00
• SolarSystem Far Red
• SolarSystem UVB
• SolarSystem Controller: $179.00

LED Grow Lights Depot is running a limited time discount of 12% off of California Lightworks. Use code: SOLAR at checkout to receive 12% off of your purchase.

 

SolarSystem 550 (Full-Cycle)

Image: SolarSystem 550

 

Wattage draw: 400 watts

HID Equivalent: 600 watts

Total PPF Output: 620 umol/s

PAR efficiency: 1.55 umol/s/w

Coverage area:

• Veg: up to 4' x 8' (32 sq ft)
• Bloom: 2' x 4' (8 sq ft) to 3' x 4' (12 sq ft)

Dimensions: 18" x 8.5" x 4"

Product weight: 13.0 lbs

Additional info: 

• SS550 brochure
• SS550 Par Data
• SS550 Spec Sheet

SolarSystem 550 Overview

 

 SolarSystem 550 - Behind The Scenes

 

 SolarSystem 550 Unboxing

 

Buy SS550

 

 

SolarSystem 550 (Veg)

Image: SolarSystem 550 Veg

 

Wattage draw: 400 watts

HID Equivalent: 600 watts

Total PPF Output: 642 umol/s

PAR efficiency: 1.55 umol/s/w

Coverage area: Up to 6' x 8' (48 sq ft)

Dimensions: 18" x 8.5" x 4"

Product weight: 13.0 lbs

 Additional info: 

• SS550 brochure
• SS550 Spec Sheet 

SolarSystem 550 Veg Kills T5 Lighting (Skip To 3:36)

 

Buy SS550 Veg

 

 

SolarSystem 275 (Full-Cycle, Veg Master, Bloom Booster)

Image: SolarSystem 275

Wattage draw: 200 watts

HID Equivalent: 400 watts

Total PPF Output: 350 umol/s

PAR efficiency: 1.55 umol/s/w

Coverage area:

• Full-Cycle
• Veg: up to 5' x 5' (25 sq ft)
• Bloom: 3' x 3' (9 sq ft)
• Veg Master
• 5' x 5' (25 sq ft)
• Bloom Booster
• 3' x 3' (9 sq ft)

Dimensions: 8.5" x 8.5" x 4"

Product weight: 7.0 lbs

Additional info: SS275 brochure and specs

 

Buy SS275

 

 

SolarSystem Far Red

Image: SolarSystem Far Red

Features:

• 730nm
• Improves leaf size and yield in leafy plants such as lettuce
• Promotes seed propogation
• Promotes elongation in long day flowering plants such as most flowers and vegetables
• Improves dark period growth and light adjustment in short day flowering plants such as poinsettais, crysanthemums, and high-light plants
• Allos dark period reduction in short day flowering plants such as poinsettas, crysanthemums and high-light plants

Wattage draw: 100 watts

HID Equivalent: n/a

Total PPF Output: n/a

PAR efficiency: n/a

Coverage area: Veg and bloom: up to 5' x 5' (25 sq ft)

Dimensions: 8.5" x 8.5" x 4"

Product weight: 7.0 lbs

Additional info: SS550 brochure and specs

 

 

SolarSystem UVB

Image: SolarSystem UVB

Features:

305nm

T8 Fluorescent bulb

Improves resin development and potency in high-light plants

Used during the last few weeks of flowering

Works with the SolarSystem Controller

Piggy-back design offers multiple light outlet installation from a single outlet

 

Wattage draw: 25 watts

HID Equivalent: n/a

Total PPF Output: n/a

PAR efficiency: n/a

Coverage area: Veg and bloom: up to 4' x 4' (16 sq ft)

Dimensions: 18.5" x 4.5" x 4"

Product weight: 2.0 lbs

Additional info: SS UVB brochure and specs

 

 

SolarSystem Controller

Image: SolarSystem Controller

The SolarSystem controller puts you in control of your garden. A single controller can automate a single light in a grow tent or a 1000 light commercial operation and controls all the lighting products in the SolarSystem series.

 

>>> Read our Black Dog LED PhytoMAX-2 Review Here