Because of notable progress in the energy-efficiency lighting market, CEE has revised its Residential Lighting Initiative. This strategy is designed to increase the availability and acceptance of energy-efficient lighting (including fixtures), and create a self-sustaining market for this technology.

For further information about CEE's revised lighting initiative, see the Residential Lighting Initiative Fact Sheet.

In addition to improving in quality, CFLs have become smaller and more affordable. To complement the ENERGY STAR® fixture specification, ENERGY STAR adopted a CFL specification in May of 1999, providing a common platform for local and regional lighting programs. This specification paves the way for nationwide participation in a lighting program.

CEE's revised lighting initiative is also addressing the opportunity presented by energy-efficient fixtures (with dedicated CFL technology). Multiple efforts are currently in development, including a technology procurement for recessed cans, a national design competition (to attract more aesthetically pleasing fixtures) and CEE-sponsored market research to identify intervention strategies.

A third component of the Initiative is a role for CEE monitoring the emergence of Solid State Lighting, which comprises both Light Emitting Diodes (LEDs) and Organic Light Emitting Diodes (OLEDs). To help inform members of developments in this area, CEE has compiled technical information on SSL at this page. Information on efficiency program activity to promote SSL is being collected now as part of the 2007 CEE Lighting Program Summary and will be posted to the web site in early October.

LIGHTING FOR TOMORROW
Lighting for Tomorrow, a fixture design competition launched in 2002, is organized by CEE, the American Lighting Association (ALA) and the U.S. Dept. of Energy (represented by Pacific Northwest National Laboratory). About two dozen energy-efficiency organizations in the U.S. and Canada combined to pledge more than $150,000 to sponsor the 2006 competition. The 2007 competition was launched in January 2007.

The competition is designed to stimulate the market for attractive ENERGY STAR® residential lighting fixtures that use up to two-thirds less electricity than standard incandescent fixtures. By encouraging new designs and technologies, Lighting for Tomorrow aims to increase market acceptance and awareness of the growing opportunities in energy-efficient lighting.

For further information, use the links at the top of the page.

PRODUCT TESTING
CEE relies on manufacturer certifications for all products listed as complying with CEE initiative specifications, and CEE does not conduct or sponsor independent testing of listed products. In December 2000, the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC) organized a roundtable for energy-efficiency administrators interested in testing the performance of residential lighting products. Entitled the Program for the Evaluation and Analysis of Residential Lighting (PEARL), the group includes the Northwest Energy Efficiency Alliance, Bonneville Power Administration, NEEP member utilities, NYSERDA, Wisconsin utilities, SMUD and the California statewide group. CEE is not a member of PEARL.

PEARL does not have the authority to disqualify or de-list products from ENERGY STAR but NRDC has stated that the testing results will be made widely available to ENERGY STAR and utility lighting programs.

For further information about PEARL, contact Noah Horowitz of the Natural Resources Defense Council at 415-777-0220, ext. 330.

CONTACT
For further information about energy-efficient lighting, contact Rebecca Foster at 617-589-3949, ext. 207.