Position Paper Helps Members Assess SSL Readiness

Document Sets Data Expectations with Industry

The joint CEE Commercial and Residential Solid-State Lighting (SSL) Committee has defined the information that energy efficiency programs need from manufacturers to evaluate SSL products for possible inclusion in programs. The Position Paper focuses specifically on one type of SSL—white LEDs—and details CEE member requirements for specific test information and documentation in order to assess product performance.

Supporting objectives from both the CEE Commercial and Residential Lighting Initiatives, the SSL Committee has been sharing information about SSL technology, products, and program efforts throughout 2009. Although SSL technology has traditionally been used in specific applications such as refrigerated cases or decorative holiday light strings, manufacturers have been rapidly introducing LEDs in more general lighting applications.

LEDs offer a number of advantages over current lighting technology. In addition to offering a significant potential for energy savings, high quality white LEDs have been shown to last longer and require less maintenance than incandescent and most fluorescent products. However, recent tests conducted by the DOE CALiPER Program have shown that many LED products do not live up to manufacturers' claims.

In June, the CEE Board of Directors approved a set of Recommended Guidelines—proposed by the SSL Committee—that define the information needed to evaluate LED products. The subsequent SSL Position Paper that was just released provides additional context to the Recommended Guidelines, effectively communicating how energy efficiency programs work and what information they need from the SSL industry. CEE members, representing the efficiency programs of the United States and Canada, plan to use the product information and test data detailed in the Recommended Guidelines and Position Paper to determine the efficiency and quality of SSL products they will consider promoting.

CEE members are also encouraged to use the Position Paper when communicating with industry. The primary value of having the needed test information and documentation specified by a host of program administrators and then made readily available to industry through CEE is that member interests are more consistently and accurately conveyed. This should help to advance the larger objectives of the Committee’s work in SSL, which is to accelerate the integration and promotion of quality, efficient lighting products.

For more information on the specific test data requirements, visit the CEE Web site and read the Position Paper in full. If you have any questions, please contact KBaldacci at cee1.org or EEaton at cee1.org.