Manufacturers are making larger wattage panels to increase light intensity which is the simplest way of increasing coverage which then in return increases yield. The real question should be why aren't the panels increasing in size when increasing in wattage. They do slightly increase but and no where near the ratio they should. It would actually make sense to buy the bigger wattage panel if it was double the physical size of the smaller panel. Now I can give some theory to why they don't double the size which are:
- Possible cooling challenge (though unlikely)
- Cost to produce, ship & stock (double the heat sink & more fans)
- They rely on a larger distance above canopy & higher angles on diodes for coverage (likely)
They seem to think that you will get all excited over the watts and lumens like you would for HID...who the hell knows?
Any way the answer is indeed yes to both of the questions, those things happen when the laws of physics are applied to photonics but the rest of my take on it does indeed need testing before I can cast it out as fact. And for the record the manufacturers have to know... this is how it is. I mean just look into light bleaching and how even 140 watts when put close enough will over light the tops of plants! Why they don't wrap their minds over that and figure out the maximum light intensity with out light bleaching and then base all panels designs around that concept is beyond me? I actually have 2 electrical engineers at my disposal but too bad I don't have boat loads of cash or I would just design the perfect light.