Education and Communications What is canopy in lighting? What is canopy in lighting? The canopy is the decorative plate, typically round, that rests against the ceiling and covers the electrical box. A stem mount pendant can be hung from a standard canopy, a hang-straight canopy, or a heavy-duty canopy.Jun 22, 2015 Related Posts:How does a canopy work?What plants store their food in fruits?How To Pack a ParachuteCan I replace pendant lights myself?