What about a HO fluorescent light? If he got a 4 bulb Hight Output t5 54w setup, then he could do it. 5000 lumens per bulb=20,000 lumens. 150w HPS has 15,000 lumens, so I guess the 5,000 lumens more could make up for the lack of penatration. He would have to either get an indica strain or mount the light sideways for a sativa. You would have to rotate the thing about every day though