An improved efficiency fluorescent lighting system is described. The system utilizes reduced rows of fluorescent luminaires which are spaced much further apart than traditional spacing. The luminaires used in the system of the present invention have increased light output of each luminaire by up to fifty percent through a combination of use of a high efficiency lamp producing about 3250 lumens, an electronic dimming ballast having a ballast factor of about 1.2 and a luminaire having a spacing to mounting height ratio of at least 1.5.