DOE's Technical Information on Solid State Lighting

The following information from the Department of Energy may be useful to efficiency program administrators as they become familiar with SSL technology.

Recent Updates and Announcements

5/25/09 Workshop Announced - July 13-15 in Chicago

DOE will be holding a workshop entitled "Voices for SSL Efficiency" in Chicago on July 13-15. Tutorials that provide an introduction to DOE market-based programs will be held on July 13 and the workshop itself will run from July 14-15. More information will be posted as it becomes available.

5/15/09 DOE Releases Report on SSL R&D Workshop

DOE has published the summary report from the 2009 Solid-State Lighting (SSL) R&D Workshop, held February 3-5 in San Francisco, California. A PDF copy of the report may be downloaded from the DOE SSL website. More than 400 participants joined DOE to share perspectives on “Transformations in Lighting,” including representatives from the lighting industry, research organizations, universities, national laboratories, efficiency programs, utilities, and the lighting design community. This sixth annual R&D Workshop provided a forum for building partnerships and sharing strategies for continuing advances in high-efficiency, high-performance SSL technologies.  

4/28/09 DOE to Host Webcast on LED Replacement Lamps

On May 19, DOE will host a 90-minute live webcast to summarize the CALiPER Program's benchmark testing of common omnidirectional incandescent lamps and provide an update on ENERGY STAR® criteria for LED integral replacement lamps. The webcast will begin at 1:00 p.m. Eastern and will include a 60-minute presentation, followed by a 30-minute live question and answer session with attendees. To learn more, or to register for the webcast, visit the DOE web site. 

4/21/09 DOE Releases CALiPER Roundtable Report

DOE has issued the report from the DOE Solid-State Lighting CALiPER Program Roundtable held in Denver, Colorado in March 2009. More than 30 experts from key national organizations – such as Illuminating Engineering Society of North America (IES), International Association of Lighting Designers (IALD), National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), National Electrical Manufacturers Association (NEMA), American National Standards Institute (ANSI) – and independent photometric testing laboratories, SSL manufacturers, and research laboratories gathered to discuss current issues related to SSL testing and related standards development.

4/06/09 DOE Releases Multi-Year Program Plan

DOE has released the March 2009 edition of the Multi-Year Program Plan FY'09-FY'15: Solid-State Lighting Research and Development. The report provides a description of the activities the Department plans to undertake in the period of FY'09 through FY'15 to implement its SSL mission. It reviews significant R&D accomplishments in 2008, a new lighting competition announcement, and a recap of several major DOE-led government-industry meetings. Additionally, the document provides information on current portfolio and funding opportunities, as well as an update on Congressional Appropriations for SSL as of March 2009. Significant updates to the Technology Research and Development Plan include revised definitions of components of a solid-state lighting luminaire to comply with IES standards, a greater emphasis on luminaire issues in product development for both LEDs and OLEDs, revised task structure and new priorities for core and product development tasks for both LEDs and OLEDs, and an updated list of technical, cost, and market barriers.

4/1/09 DOE Webcast: CALiPER Round 7 Testing Results and SSL Product Life Issues

On April 9 at 1:00 p.m. Eastern, DOE will host a 90-minute webcast providing an overview of CALiPER's recent Round 7 testing results, and an update on the emerging understanding of service life and long-term reliability for solid-state lighting products. Heidi Steward of Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL) will highlight the testing results from CALiPER Round 7. Featured product categories include outdoor lighting, downlight Luminaires, and LED replacement lamps. Eric Richman, also of PNNL, will review the current understanding of life and reliability related to LED products, and provide an update on progress within standards development groups and industry toward an effective method for estimating expected useful life of LEDs. To learn more, or to register for the webcast, visit the DOE web site. 

3/25/09 DOE Releases GATEWAY Report on LED Parking Lot Lighting Demonstration

DOE has published the report from a demonstration of bi-level LED parking lot lighting at a Raley's Supermarket in West Sacramento, California. This GATEWAY demonstration report, prepared by Pacific Gas & Electric and Energy Solutions, provides an overview of project results including lighting performance, economic performance, and potential energy savings. In this project, several metal halide (MH) Luminaires in the Raley's parking lot were replaced with new LED luminaires from BetaLED incorporating bi-level operation (dim state and full state) controlled by motion detectors. This report is available for download on the DOE SSL website. 

3/20/09 DOE Releases Detailed Results from Round 7 of SSL Product Testing

Following the summary report on Round 7 of the DOE Solid-State Lighting (SSL) CALiPER program, DOE has now published the detailed reports from that round of product testing. Round 7 detailed test results covering outdoor lighting, downlights, and replacement lamps are now available for download through the searchable online CALiPER system.

The Department allows detailed test results from CALiPER testing to be distributed in the public interest for noncommercial, educational purposes only.

3/17/09 DOE Webcast: LED Site Lighting in Parking Lots

On March 26, DOE will host a 90-minute live webcast on LED site lighting in the commercial building sector. This webcast will explore the opportunities and challenges of using LEDs in parking lot applications.

Eric Richman and Michael Myer from Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL) will provide an overview of a new LED Site Lighting Performance Specification, developed by DOE and the Commercial Building Energy Alliances (CBEA). In addition, Ralph Williams of Walmart will share insights from Walmart's experience with investigating the viability of LED site lighting through product evaluations and demonstrations at selected stores. The webcast will be moderated by Linda Sandahl of PNNL.

The webcast will begin at 1:00 p.m. Eastern and will include a 60-minute presentation, followed by a 30-minute live question and answer session with attendees. To learn more or to register for the webcast visit the DOE SSL website.

2/20/09 DOE Releases Summary Results from Round 7 of SSL Product Testing

DOE has completed Round 7 of product testing through the  Solid-State Lighting (SSL) CALiPER program. A Summary Report containing the results from Round 7 testing is now available for download on the DOE SSL website. Products tested in Round 7 represent a range of products for three application areas: outdoor lighting, downlights, and replacement lamps.

2/19/09 Next Generation Luminaires^TM Announces LED Design Competition Winners

DOE announced winners of the first annual Next Generation Luminaires awards at the Strategies in Light Conference in Santa Clara, California on February 19. Sponsored by the U.S. Department of Energy, the Illuminating Engineering Society of North America, and the International Association of Lighting Designers, the competition recognizes excellence in the design of energy-efficient LED commercial lighting luminaires. Of the 68 entries, 22 were selected for recognition in the market-ready category, and three of these products were designated Best in Class: 

• GE Lighting: Immersion^TM jewelry case lighting
• Journée Lighting: AZARA track mounted luminaires
• Winona Lighting: STEP03 indoor/outdoor step lighting

In addition, five products were recognized in the emerging products category. More information on all the winning entries is available at www.ngldc.org.

1/30/09 DOE Releases Report on San Francisco Street Lighting Demonstration

DOE has published the report from a San Francisco, California, demonstration of LED street lighting. This GATEWAY demonstration report, prepared by Pacific Gas & Electric and Energy Solutions, provides an overview of project results including lighting performance, cost effectiveness, and potential energy savings. In this project, four manufacturers' LED street lights were installed on four public avenues in the Sunset District of San Francisco, each with a total of five street lights from the beginning to end of the block. Key findings are that while lighting performance varied among the LED luminaires, energy savings potential was high in each case, with energy reductions ranging from 50% to 70% over the current HPS system. Further, the products that generally performed better in terms of lighting performance also proved to be more economically attractive. The report is available for download on the DOE web site.

01/20/09 DOE Releases CALiPER Benchmark Report

DOE has published a new CALiPER Benchmark Report, presenting a comparison of T12 and T8 linear fluorescent lamps with commercially available LED linear replacement lamps. CALiPER testing addressed a range of standard lighting measures, including power usage, luminous flux, photometric distribution, source and luminaire efficacy, correlated color temperature (CCT), and color-rendering index (CRI) for the lamps tested separately and in troffers. The report is available for download on the DOE web site.

12/17/08 DOE Releases Phase III Oakland Report

DOE has released the Phase III report from the solid-state lighting (SSL) demonstration of LED streetlights in Oakland, CA. This GATEWAY demonstration report, prepared by Pacific Gas & Electric and Energy Solutions, provides an overview of project results measured over a 12-month period, including comparison to Phase II luminaires, energy consumption and illuminance levels, and economic analysis.

In this project, four LED luminaires on one of the Phase II streets were replaced with next-generation LED luminaires (58 watts) from the same manufacturer, with the same chip and driver. The report is available on the DOE web site.

11/20/08  DOE Releases Benchmark Reports

DOE Has released two benchmark reports to allow easier comparison of SSL products with conventional lighting technologies. The reports detailed analysis of test results for both traditional and LED products for a given application, comparing a range of standard lighting measures (e.g., power usage, light output and distribution, efficacy, correlated color temperature, color rendering index). The reports cover the performance of Incandescent A-Type and Decorative Lamps and LED Replacements and the performance of Halogen Incandescent MR16 Lamps and LED Replacements. They are available on the DOE web site.

11/14/08 Parking Lot GATEWAY Demonstration Report

DOE has published the report from the Providence Portland Medical Center (PPMC) demonstration of LED luminaires for commercial parking garage applications. This GATEWAY demonstration report, prepared by Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, provides an overview of project results including lighting performance, quality, energy savings, payback analysis, and user feedback. The complete report on this demonstration project is available on the DOE web site. 

11/7/08 Residential LED GATEWAY Demonstration Report 

DOE has published the report from the Eugene, Oregon “2008 Tour of Homes” demonstration of LED residential downlights and undercabinet lights. This GATEWAY demonstration report, prepared by Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, provides an overview of project results including significant energy savings, improved illuminance uniformity, and positive user feedback.The complete Eugene demonstration report is available at the DOE web site. 

10/24/08 DOE Announces Webinar on LM-80

On September 30, 2008, the last remaining critical test procedure for the U.S. Department of Energy’s ENERGY STAR Solid-State Lighting Program was finalized by the Illuminating Engineering Society of North America (IESNA), LM-80-08 Approved Method for Measuring Lumen Maintenance of LED Light Sources.

The finalization of this test procedure has resulted in a number of questions by partners interested in how the test procedure will be used for ENERGY STAR qualification. As a result of these questions, DOE is hosting a webinar on October 30, 2008 from 2 – 3pm EST to review the LM-80 test procedure and how it will be used in the ENERGY STAR qualification process for SSL products. Presenters Jeff McCullough (Pacific Northwest National Labs) and Kevin Dowling (Philips SSL Solutions) will answer the following questions:

• What does LM-80 measure?
• How is the LM-80 test conducted?
• How long does the test take?
• What are the results and how are they used by ENERGY STAR?

10/03/08 DOE Report Estimates LED Savings in Niche Markets

DOE has released analysis findings for niche markets where light emitting diodes (LEDs) compete with or are poised to compete with traditional lighting sources (e.g., incandescent and fluorescent). The September 2008 report provides estimates of current energy savings plus potential savings if these markets switched to LEDs overnight.

Twelve niche markets were analyzed, comprising four colored-light applications (traffic signals and pedestrian crossings, decorative holiday lights, exit signs, electric signage); six indoor white-light applications (recessed downlights, refrigerated display cases, retail displays, task lights, office undershelf lights, kitchen undercabinet lights); and two outdoor white-light applications (street and area lights and step, path, and porch lights).

LEDs in these markets are already saving consumers nearly $1 billion in electricity costs. If these markets switched to LEDs overnight, energy savings would be the equivalent of taking 18 million residential households off the grid and could save consumers more than $22 billion in electricity costs. To download a PDF of the report, visit the DOE web site.

10/01/08 Results from Round 6 of SSL Product Testing are Available

DOE has completed Round 6 of product testing through the DOE Solid-State Lighting (SSL) CALiPER program. A Summary Report containing the results from Round 6 testing is now available for download on the DOE SSL website.

09/29/08 DOE Launches Quality Advocates Web Page

09/02/08 DOE Holds a Web-Cast on the L-Prize

DOE will host a 90-minute live webcast will provide an overview of the Bright Tomorrow Lighting Prize (L Prize™), a new technology competition established by Congress in the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007. The L Prize calls for super-efficient SSL products to replace two of the most common light bulbs used today: the 60-watt incandescent and the PAR-38 halogen reflector.

06/11/08 DOE Releases Results from Round 5 of SSL Product Testing

DOE has completed Round 5 of product testing through the DOE Solid-State Lighting (SSL) CALiPER program. A Summary Report containing the results from Round 5 testing is now available for download on the DOE SSL website. The Department allows detailed test results from CALiPER testing to be distributed in the public interest for noncommercial, educational purposes only. Round 5 detailed test reports covering downlights, linear replacement lamps, A-Lamp and MR16 replacement lamps, desk/task lamps, undercabinet lighting, and outdoor lighting are now available. To streamline the request process for detailed test reports, DOE now provides the reports directly through a searchable on-line system.

05/30/08 DOE Announces ‘Bright Tomorrow Lighting Prize' Competition

DOE announced details on the Bright Tomorrow Lighting Prize competition at Lightfair International in Las Vegas, Nevada. The L Prize™ is the first government-sponsored technology competition designed to spur lighting manufacturers to develop high quality, high efficiency solid-state lighting products to replace the common light bulb. The L Prize program announcement calls for development of replacement technologies for two of today's most widely used and inefficient products, 60W incandescent lamps and PAR 38 halogen lamps. A future L Prize program announcement will call for development of a new “21st Century Lamp.” The competition will award significant cash prizes, plus opportunities for federal purchasing agreements, utility programs, and other incentives for winning products.

05/19/08  Webcast on ENERGY STAR for SSL on June 26

DOE is hosting a 90-minute webcast on June 26 on the ENERGY STAR criteria for solid-state Luminaires. The criteria were issued in September 2007, and will become effective September 30, 2008. They cover both residential and commercial solid-state lighting products. Presenters will discuss the underlying strategy and details of near term and future applications, and provide an overview of the product qualification process, testing requirements, quality assurance, and tools and resources for manufacturers and program sponsors.

5/13/08  DOE Establishing CALiPER Advisory Committee

DOE recently announced that it will create an advisory committee for its SSL commercial product testing program (CALiPER), which was established in 2006 to provide objective SSL product performance information to the public. The committee will be made up of energy efficiency program sponsors and will provide ideas on improving the value of CALiPER to the public and to programs, ranging from which products are tested, to how they are tested, to how the tests are analyzed and characterized. DOE is not soliciting financial contributions to the program, only feedback to guide CALiPER program planning and growth. If you are interested in learning more, contact Anne Manning at Pacific Northwest National Laboratory.

Other Resources

Technical Information Network

From time to time, DOE hosts events on SSL to help educate energy efficiency program administrators and other stakeholders. A list of these events is available online, alongside a description of DOE's outreach activity. www.ssl.energy.gov/technetwork.html

Using LEDs for General Illumination

This web site provides a primer for efficiency programs and others to understand how LEDs may be used for general illumination purposes. It contains information on energy efficiency and lighting quality, describing how LEDs work, how their performance is measured, and their energy efficiency potential. www.ssl.energy.gov/using_leds.html

Commercial Product Testing Program

DOE has tested several products that are currently on the market with the intention of providing reliable, unbiased product performance information that will foster the developing market for high-performance SSL products. Test reports and other information related to this testing program are available online. www.ssl.energy.gov/caliper.html

Fact Sheets

DOE has created a series of Fact Sheets about SSL technology, covering topics such as energy efficiency, color quality, and thermal management. Fact Sheets regarding the use of SSL in specific lighting applications like task lighting, recessed downlights, and under-cabinet lighting are also available. www.ssl.energy.gov/factsheets.html