Solid State Lighting - Early Adopters

TRAILBLAZERS BRINGING SOLID STATE LIGHTING TO CALIFORNIA

With the inauguration of an EnergyStar program in 2008, solid state lighting is rapidly gaining momentum in the market. The current EnergyStar applications take advantage of LED lighting's directional nature, and include:

•    Undercabinet kitchen lighting
•    Undercabinet shelf-mounted task lighting
•    Portable desk task lights
•    Recessed downlights
•    Outdoor wall-mounted porch lights
•    Outdoor step lights
•    Outdoor pathway lights

Solid state lighting has also been commercialized in several niche applications not covered by the EnergyStar program, including traffic lights, exit signs, Christmas lights, and home electronics. Solid state general purpose light bulbs are also appearing on the market, replacing 40 Watt incandescents with only 7 Watts of energy consumption and achieving energy savings of 82%.

Over the next several years, EnergyStar will continue to add to its solid state lighting program, covering such applications as street and area lighting, parking garage lighting, cove lighting, ceiling fan light kits, replacement lamp applications, display and accent lighting, and wall wash lamps. By 2011, solid state lighting is expected to be fully commercialized in all general lighting applications.

If you'd like to make your organization an early adopter of solid state lighting, here's what you can do:

• Purchase EnergyStar LED lighting whenever possible
• Replace parking lot and street lighting with LED fixtures
• Check with your local utility - you may be eligible for rebates or engineering assistance!