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The fourth annual Lighting for Tomorrow fixture design competition was bigger and better than ever.

A total of 12 manufacturers, including six newcomers, were honored at the American Lighting Association (ALA) Annual Conference in Las Vegas on Sept. 12. A solid-state lighting competition also made its debut this year, with the judging in Davis, Calif., on Oct. 11 (see related story).

Lighting for Tomorrow is managed by CEE, ALA and the Department of Energy (represented by Pacific Northwest National Laboratory).

Twenty-six CEE members combined to pledge more than $150,000 to sponsor this year’s competition.

A total of 26 attractive energy-efficient fixture families are being promoted through the Lighting for Tomorrow 2006 Yearbook. This 63-page book includes color photos, CEE and ENERGY STAR^® program information, technology updates, and other useful information for consumers, retailers and builders.

The yearbook will be used as a means to reward manufacturers for their investment in energy efficiency as well as educate builders and retailers about the feasibility – and more importantly, availability – of ENERGY STAR fixtures.

“The yearbook will have a wide range of uses,” explained Rebecca Foster, CEE Residential Program Manager. “For program administrators, it’s a tool that can promote their local efforts. The lighting industry can use the yearbook as a marketing resource to stimulate sales.

“Builders and designers can also use the catalog to choose a wide array of energy-efficient products. The fixture families selected to appear in the Yearbook emphasize style, efficiency and compatibility with a range of interior design requirements.”

About 10,000 copies of the Yearbook will be distributed to retailers and builders nationwide.

Nearly 60 fixture families, about double the number of entries into the 2005 competition, had been submitted. Manufacturers were required to submit designs of fixture families rather than single products. Fixture families are lighting products that complement each other – aesthetically and technically – and can be purchased as a set for the home.

There were separate categories for indoor and outdoor fixture families, providing builders and consumers with better options for choosing energy-efficient lighting.

Designs were evaluated by a panel of judges comprising lighting professionals and retailers, journalists, homebuilders and energy-efficiency program administrators. Awards were presented on the basis of attractiveness, value, marketability, innovation and functionality.

ENERGY STAR qualification was required for all winners.

With five finalists each, Lithonia Lighting and American Fluorescent produced the most winning designs for fixture families. Justice Design Group (three), Dolan Designs (three) and Deancoins Company (two) were the other multiple winners.

For a list and color photos of all winners, see the Lighting for Tomorrow Web site.

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