The Q-SETeLED & Q-SETMLED Power Supplies remotely power LED lighting. These products mount directly into the Q-VAULT-5, an IP68 listed enclosure, capable of being buried into the ground or in concrete.
The Q-SETeLED comes available in either 60 watt or 120 watt (12VDC) or 100 watt or 200 watt (24VDC) models. Up to two Q-SETeLED's fit inside one Q-VAULT-5 allowing up to four LED power supplies inside of one Q-VAULT-5.
The Q-SETMLED is available from 60 watt-300 watts in 12VDC or 24VDC. One Q-VAULT can accommodate up to 2 Q-SETMLED units. Boost taps provide the ability to recover voltage drop over longer runs and secondary circuit protection prevents any damage to the LED lighting.
The Q-VAULT-5 is IP68 listed in a five-inch housing equipped with a door, gasket, two stabilizing bars and a water-tight installation kit. The kit, which enables the contractor to install the unit efficiently for long-lasting durability and operation, includes one epoxy packs and an application syringe, water-tight putty, desiccant pouch, silver marker, installation instructions, spare parts, drilling guide labels, and wire ties. The housing cover is offered with a Stainless Steel Diamond or Bronze Plate, and with a Flush Mount or Concrete Pour Ring. It measures 9.5 inches long, 16.5 inches wide and 12.5 inches deep.
The Q-SET standard halogen or AC fed LED fixtures come in three circuit breaker configurations. Available in the Q-Scape System are: Q-SET1, which ranges from 60 watts to 300 watts, offers a single circuit breaker in a 2.5-inch cassette; Q-SET2 ranges from 360 watts to 600 watts, includes two circuit breakers in a five-inch wide cassette; and Q-SET3 ranges from 540 watts to 900 watts, is equipped with three circuit breakers in a five-inch wide cassette.
All of the Q-Sets include five secondary taps, ranging from 11 through 15 volts, which are used to compensate for losses when dimming. Loads may be connected at varying distances and to one or more of the secondary taps to recover voltage drop while producing 85 to 100 percent light output. Primary and secondary circuit protection meets or exceeds the NEC Article 411 for UL-2108 and UL-1838 Landscape Lighting Codes, and the Pool and Spa Wet Label Direct Burial Standard.
Many of the LED fixtures designed for landscape lighting are designed for 12VAC, which is our standard Q-SET transformer. If the fixture requires a remote LED power supply our Q-SETeLED or Q-SETMLED would be recommended.
In 1993, Q-Tran, Inc. was founded by John Tremaine, an accomplished lighting designer who was born into a family of lighting entrepreneurs and innovators. He began his career with The Miller Company, a firm acquired in the 1930's by his great grandfather, who founded the National Electric Lamp Association (NELA) before selling it to John's grandfather. In the early 1920's NELA became General Electric's lamp division in Cleveland, Ohio, and was later transformed into a prestigious research institute that is still thriving today.
Q-Tran was established to fulfill a need in the lighting industry for flexible remote transformers that eliminate noise and heat while enhancing the quality of light output. Operating with the mantra "EnlightenedThinking," Q-Tran has pioneered innovative transformers and power supply centers to provide safety, reliability, performance and convenience. It was the first company to develop an entire power supply center designed specifically for low voltage lighting. Over the years, Gean Tremaine and Jordan Nodelman would take their place by their father's side, helping to build Q-Tran into a leading designer and manufacturer of high-quality, power supply systems, transformers and components.
2012年4月27日 星期五
2012年4月26日 星期四
Adura Raises $8.5M for Networked Lighting
The San Francisco-based startup also announced a new customer, Oakland's Kaiser Center. The 28-story office building has a 1,339-stall parking garage with fluorescent lighting, where Adura has installed its Wireless Lighting Control System -- a wireless control box on every light fixture, controlled from a central platform. Adura says it can shave 40 percent to 70 percent of the garage's lighting power bill, simply by dimming lights in daylit or unoccupied portions of the garage and other such tricks.
The Kaiser project is one of 25 installations totaling more than two million square feet that Adura deployed in the first quarter of this year, bringing a total of 6.5 million square feet under Adura's networked lights, according to a Thursday announcement. This makes Adura a big player in the still-small world of smart lighting. Only about 7 percent of today's buildings network their lights for energy savings today. But lights consume about a quarter to a third of a typical commercial building's power bill.
Technologies that can provide an initial 40-percent to 50-percent efficiency gain and maintain it over time, as Adura and competitors say they can do, could find a lot of interest. That's made for a lot of interest from startups. One noteworthy player, Daintree Networks, announced a partnership with lighting giant Sylvania's services arm this month, with a 340,000-square-foot deployment with their first, unannounced, customer. Daintree differentiates itself in that it uses ZigBee-compliant technology, unlike competitors like Adura that use proprietary tech in one or more layers of the OSI stack.
Other competitors include Enlighted, which networks sensors to offer distributed intelligence at the individual light fixture level, Digital Lumens, which networks LED lights for warehouses, and Redwood Systems, which wants to network and power LEDs over Ethernet cables. While we've yet to see giants like Siemens, Schneider Electric, GE, Honeywell or Johnson Controls use their incumbent building management system positions to colonize networked lighting, that could change.
Beyond the choice of networking and control architectures, of course, it's up to the software behind the platform to measure, analyze and control those lights to actually save energy without messing with the building's operations. Early deployments are being closely watched to ensure that the technology actually saves money and delivers ongoing value as promised.
Adura's software can also analyze data from previous deployments and adjust controls to achieve greater effects -- a sort of machine-learning process that's integral to many of today's new building energy efficiency software technologies, including startups like Viridity Energy, SCIEnergy and BuildingIQ. Adding occupancy, temperature, humidity and daylight sensors to light fixtures allows even more fine-tuned control.
Adura is growing: the company said 2011 revenues were up 273 percent over the previous year, though it didn't provide any concrete figures. So far it has mostly done parking garages, though it is also expanding a garage project with Hills Plaza in San Francisco by moving up into office suites.
There it has been able to cut power use in half via such methods as dimming lights during daylight hours and shutting them off in unused hallways and conference rooms. CEO Mark Golan told me in an interview late last year that office space is a big target for the startup in 2012.
While the vast cubicle wasteland may be the biggest target market for smart lighting, warehouses, grocery stores, outdoor parking lots, streetlights and many other classes of lighting are also open for greening. Stay tuned for a lot of action in this space, which is also at the nexus of the push for LED lighting in the commercial sector.
The Kaiser project is one of 25 installations totaling more than two million square feet that Adura deployed in the first quarter of this year, bringing a total of 6.5 million square feet under Adura's networked lights, according to a Thursday announcement. This makes Adura a big player in the still-small world of smart lighting. Only about 7 percent of today's buildings network their lights for energy savings today. But lights consume about a quarter to a third of a typical commercial building's power bill.
Technologies that can provide an initial 40-percent to 50-percent efficiency gain and maintain it over time, as Adura and competitors say they can do, could find a lot of interest. That's made for a lot of interest from startups. One noteworthy player, Daintree Networks, announced a partnership with lighting giant Sylvania's services arm this month, with a 340,000-square-foot deployment with their first, unannounced, customer. Daintree differentiates itself in that it uses ZigBee-compliant technology, unlike competitors like Adura that use proprietary tech in one or more layers of the OSI stack.
Other competitors include Enlighted, which networks sensors to offer distributed intelligence at the individual light fixture level, Digital Lumens, which networks LED lights for warehouses, and Redwood Systems, which wants to network and power LEDs over Ethernet cables. While we've yet to see giants like Siemens, Schneider Electric, GE, Honeywell or Johnson Controls use their incumbent building management system positions to colonize networked lighting, that could change.
Beyond the choice of networking and control architectures, of course, it's up to the software behind the platform to measure, analyze and control those lights to actually save energy without messing with the building's operations. Early deployments are being closely watched to ensure that the technology actually saves money and delivers ongoing value as promised.
Adura's software can also analyze data from previous deployments and adjust controls to achieve greater effects -- a sort of machine-learning process that's integral to many of today's new building energy efficiency software technologies, including startups like Viridity Energy, SCIEnergy and BuildingIQ. Adding occupancy, temperature, humidity and daylight sensors to light fixtures allows even more fine-tuned control.
Adura is growing: the company said 2011 revenues were up 273 percent over the previous year, though it didn't provide any concrete figures. So far it has mostly done parking garages, though it is also expanding a garage project with Hills Plaza in San Francisco by moving up into office suites.
There it has been able to cut power use in half via such methods as dimming lights during daylight hours and shutting them off in unused hallways and conference rooms. CEO Mark Golan told me in an interview late last year that office space is a big target for the startup in 2012.
While the vast cubicle wasteland may be the biggest target market for smart lighting, warehouses, grocery stores, outdoor parking lots, streetlights and many other classes of lighting are also open for greening. Stay tuned for a lot of action in this space, which is also at the nexus of the push for LED lighting in the commercial sector.
2012年4月25日 星期三
EnvironmentalLights Launches RGB ColorPlus Series of Color-Changing LED Strip Lights
EnvironmentalLights, a leading source for high-quality, energy-efficient LED lighting, recently launched a new series of color-changing LED strip lights. The RGB ColorPlus series is a brand new line of color-changing LED strip lights that combines a RGB LED chip plus an additional LED chip of warm white, daylight white or amber. Alternating on the flexible strip, this new LED strip can produce millions of colors easier than ever before - expanding your color palette beyond most RGB LED strip. The fourth color gives you precise color control and higher color rendering, allowing you to create truer whites, purer yellows and softer pastels that are not over-saturated.
"We worked closely with the engineering teams to make sure we developed a premium product for our customers, and chose high-quality LEDs for maximum color vibrancy, longevity and flexibility," said co-founder and president of EnvironmentalLights, Greg Thorson. "Quality matters, and the materials, controllers, compatible accessories we provide make the difference for our customers.
Standard RGB LED strip light mixes red, green and blue colors together on a chip to create a color, including white. It can be difficult to mimic the color temperature of white you prefer with RGB color mixing. RGB ColorPlus adds warm white, daylight white or amber into the color mix, giving you the versatility to create the exact color you desire. It also gives you the ability to create bright pastels colors in addition to bold primary colors.
A unique feature of the 5-wire RGBWW (warm white) and RGBDW (daylight white) strip light is that the white LED chip uses phosphor to create the range of color temperature, different from creating white by mixing red, green and blue on a chip. This creates a more natural white color to mix with the RGB colors on the strip, adding either a warm or cool tone - great for mixing pastels. The RGBA(amber) strip light uses an amber LED chip - great for mixing yellows and oranges.
"This is a fantastic product for TV studio and stage design, architectural features and decorative lighting in nightclubs and restaurants," explained Bruce Bishop, operations manager for EnvironmentalLights. "Having the extra LED chip gives lighting engineers and designers the flexibility to mix more colors, and also to illuminate just white if desired - whereas with regular RGB strip lighting it would be a little more difficult to blend a true white."
RGB ColorPlus LED strip lights can be easily controlled with Environmental Lights' RGB ColorPlus 4-Channel Controller or any DMX Controller, in conjunction with a DMX 4-channel decoder. An LED controller is necessary to control the lighting system and create the colors and effects desired.
The RGB ColorPlus 4-Channel Controller is a hand-held remote control that allows you to select any combination of the 4-channels, plus several fade, step and flash modes (21 modes in all). It operates using radio frequency and can work in a 100 foot range, even through walls. It is an easy-to-use controller to create beautiful effects for lighting up any space.
For a more professional installation, Environmental Lights designed and tested compatible DMX 4-channel decoders and the RGBX Repeater Studio amplifier to be used with the 5-wire RGB ColorPlus strip lights.
"We worked closely with the engineering teams to make sure we developed a premium product for our customers, and chose high-quality LEDs for maximum color vibrancy, longevity and flexibility," said co-founder and president of EnvironmentalLights, Greg Thorson. "Quality matters, and the materials, controllers, compatible accessories we provide make the difference for our customers.
Standard RGB LED strip light mixes red, green and blue colors together on a chip to create a color, including white. It can be difficult to mimic the color temperature of white you prefer with RGB color mixing. RGB ColorPlus adds warm white, daylight white or amber into the color mix, giving you the versatility to create the exact color you desire. It also gives you the ability to create bright pastels colors in addition to bold primary colors.
A unique feature of the 5-wire RGBWW (warm white) and RGBDW (daylight white) strip light is that the white LED chip uses phosphor to create the range of color temperature, different from creating white by mixing red, green and blue on a chip. This creates a more natural white color to mix with the RGB colors on the strip, adding either a warm or cool tone - great for mixing pastels. The RGBA(amber) strip light uses an amber LED chip - great for mixing yellows and oranges.
"This is a fantastic product for TV studio and stage design, architectural features and decorative lighting in nightclubs and restaurants," explained Bruce Bishop, operations manager for EnvironmentalLights. "Having the extra LED chip gives lighting engineers and designers the flexibility to mix more colors, and also to illuminate just white if desired - whereas with regular RGB strip lighting it would be a little more difficult to blend a true white."
RGB ColorPlus LED strip lights can be easily controlled with Environmental Lights' RGB ColorPlus 4-Channel Controller or any DMX Controller, in conjunction with a DMX 4-channel decoder. An LED controller is necessary to control the lighting system and create the colors and effects desired.
The RGB ColorPlus 4-Channel Controller is a hand-held remote control that allows you to select any combination of the 4-channels, plus several fade, step and flash modes (21 modes in all). It operates using radio frequency and can work in a 100 foot range, even through walls. It is an easy-to-use controller to create beautiful effects for lighting up any space.
For a more professional installation, Environmental Lights designed and tested compatible DMX 4-channel decoders and the RGBX Repeater Studio amplifier to be used with the 5-wire RGB ColorPlus strip lights.
2012年4月24日 星期二
One Stop Green Now Offers Next Generation ActiveLED Lights, the World's Most Efficient Light
One Stop Green, an international distributor of green, energy efficient products and services, now offers one of the world's most efficient light – ActiveLED's from Caberra Lighting Systems that are warrantied for ten years and in most cases last up to thirty years.
One Stop Green helps companies identify and implement environmentally friendly solutions that save money and increase productivity. With the addition of ActiveLED Lights to One Stop Green's line of already comprehensive lighting products, they now offer some of the best, most efficient lighting products in the world.
G2 ActiveLED can help save as much as 95% on Energy Cost. Each light is made in America, specifically in Georgetown, Texas and comes with a warranty performance, which guarantees an extremely long life cycle. While other competitors can only estimate energy savings and ROI numbers, the quality and technology behind ActiveLED products allow One Stop Green to quantify your exact savings and is even guaranteed to deliver. The patented design produces a brilliant white light with fewer watts making it the most efficient light on the market delivering immediate savings derived from energy and maintenance costs. One Stop Green offers G2 ActiveLED products for building exteriors, commercial office, commercial retail and manufacturing, and even grow lights.
Each light comes with a standard ten-year warranty and depending on use, has a life cycle of up to thirty years. At the end of the light's life cycle, One Stop Green will even buy the light back to recycle and re-use, truly a Green Product. "This is by far the best quality light on the market and blows every other competitor away" says Don Noot, Sales Director for One Stop Green. "This is the type of light that when you first see, you are in awe and can instantly tell the difference between the quality of their products and their competitors.
If you want a truly reliable, efficient, and proven light source, the G2 ActiveLED is absolutely the best option as it provides a lighting system that is warranted unconditionally against any light loss or light fade for 10 years or 90,000 hours of operation." With zero out of pocket maintenance costs on all fixtures and guaranteed energy savings of over 90%, usually more than that, this lighting system in most cases pays for itself in less than three years, also guaranteed in writing.
One Stop Green, LLC facilitates environmentally friendly improvements to residential and commercial properties through distribution of green, energy efficient products and services. They offer every product needed for sustainable energy independence enabling homeowners, businesses and commercial property owners to master their usage by reducing waste and implementing efficient energy consumption methods. Their goal is to provide user friendly and practical long-term solutions to existing inefficiencies and their carefully selected products and professional installers offer a higher level of satisfaction and service for their customers.
One Stop Green helps companies identify and implement environmentally friendly solutions that save money and increase productivity. With the addition of ActiveLED Lights to One Stop Green's line of already comprehensive lighting products, they now offer some of the best, most efficient lighting products in the world.
G2 ActiveLED can help save as much as 95% on Energy Cost. Each light is made in America, specifically in Georgetown, Texas and comes with a warranty performance, which guarantees an extremely long life cycle. While other competitors can only estimate energy savings and ROI numbers, the quality and technology behind ActiveLED products allow One Stop Green to quantify your exact savings and is even guaranteed to deliver. The patented design produces a brilliant white light with fewer watts making it the most efficient light on the market delivering immediate savings derived from energy and maintenance costs. One Stop Green offers G2 ActiveLED products for building exteriors, commercial office, commercial retail and manufacturing, and even grow lights.
Each light comes with a standard ten-year warranty and depending on use, has a life cycle of up to thirty years. At the end of the light's life cycle, One Stop Green will even buy the light back to recycle and re-use, truly a Green Product. "This is by far the best quality light on the market and blows every other competitor away" says Don Noot, Sales Director for One Stop Green. "This is the type of light that when you first see, you are in awe and can instantly tell the difference between the quality of their products and their competitors.
If you want a truly reliable, efficient, and proven light source, the G2 ActiveLED is absolutely the best option as it provides a lighting system that is warranted unconditionally against any light loss or light fade for 10 years or 90,000 hours of operation." With zero out of pocket maintenance costs on all fixtures and guaranteed energy savings of over 90%, usually more than that, this lighting system in most cases pays for itself in less than three years, also guaranteed in writing.
One Stop Green, LLC facilitates environmentally friendly improvements to residential and commercial properties through distribution of green, energy efficient products and services. They offer every product needed for sustainable energy independence enabling homeowners, businesses and commercial property owners to master their usage by reducing waste and implementing efficient energy consumption methods. Their goal is to provide user friendly and practical long-term solutions to existing inefficiencies and their carefully selected products and professional installers offer a higher level of satisfaction and service for their customers.
2012年4月23日 星期一
Everlight files patent infringement lawsuit against Nichia in USA
Everlight Electronics Co Ltd (Taiwan's largest LED assembly manufacturer) has filed a patent infringement lawsuit against Japan-based LED-making rival Nichia Corp in the US District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan. The lawsuit seeks to enjoin Nichia from manufacturing, using, importing, offering for sale, or selling its infringing products in the USA. The firm also seeks monetary damages. In addition, it is asking the US court to declare two Nichia patents invalid, unenforceable and improperly issued by the US Patent Office.
Everlight says that the legal action is part of its continued global effort to enforce its intellectual property rights and to protect its products and its customers from litigation attacks by Nichia.
In its complaint, Everlight is seeking enforcement of US Patent No. 6,653,215, which covers LED metallization technology. The firm is the exclusive US licensee of the patent, which is owned by Emcore Corp.
Uses for Nichia's LEDs being sold in the USA that are alleged to infringe on the patent include residential lighting products, street lights and spotlights. The market for these products is growing rapidly in the USA as consumers, electric utilities and utility regulators seek to reduce overall electricity consumption and cost. Highly energy-efficient LED lights consume substantially less electricity than equivalent incandescent light bulbs, Everlight notes. LED lights also last more than 100 times longer than equivalent incandescent bulbs and more than 10 times longer than equivalent compact fluorescent bulbs.
Everlight is also asking the US court to declare that Nichia's US Patent Nos. 5,998,925 and 7,531,960 are invalid, unenforceable and improperly issued by the US Patent Office and that Everlight's LED products do not infringe on those patents. Those patents cover the use of certain types of phosphors in making white-light LEDs.
In response to this need, Cirrus Logic, an integrated circuit developer, has launched a new CS161X digital LED controller chips that support dimmer-friendly LEDs. These newly designed LEDs are currently available at BulbAmerica. These dimmers were validated with a proven compatibility of about 98 %.The units have been integrated with LED bulbs manufactured from a leading European company. The newly-designed LED lighting units are currently being sold.
According to a BulbAmerica expert, the demand for these LED bulbs is increasing and will grow up to 1 B in another two years.
In addition to the CS161X, Cirrus Logic will also introduce the CS163x, a new LED IC series capable of handling dimming and color mixing, and generating improved warmer and natural light. This new series from Cirrus Logic will enable solving the challenges associated with LED dimmer compatibility. Previously established lighting technologies are being replaced with advanced lighting technology, and the market supports the incorporation of new generation, eco- and consumer- friendly technology.
Everlight says that the legal action is part of its continued global effort to enforce its intellectual property rights and to protect its products and its customers from litigation attacks by Nichia.
In its complaint, Everlight is seeking enforcement of US Patent No. 6,653,215, which covers LED metallization technology. The firm is the exclusive US licensee of the patent, which is owned by Emcore Corp.
Uses for Nichia's LEDs being sold in the USA that are alleged to infringe on the patent include residential lighting products, street lights and spotlights. The market for these products is growing rapidly in the USA as consumers, electric utilities and utility regulators seek to reduce overall electricity consumption and cost. Highly energy-efficient LED lights consume substantially less electricity than equivalent incandescent light bulbs, Everlight notes. LED lights also last more than 100 times longer than equivalent incandescent bulbs and more than 10 times longer than equivalent compact fluorescent bulbs.
Everlight is also asking the US court to declare that Nichia's US Patent Nos. 5,998,925 and 7,531,960 are invalid, unenforceable and improperly issued by the US Patent Office and that Everlight's LED products do not infringe on those patents. Those patents cover the use of certain types of phosphors in making white-light LEDs.
In response to this need, Cirrus Logic, an integrated circuit developer, has launched a new CS161X digital LED controller chips that support dimmer-friendly LEDs. These newly designed LEDs are currently available at BulbAmerica. These dimmers were validated with a proven compatibility of about 98 %.The units have been integrated with LED bulbs manufactured from a leading European company. The newly-designed LED lighting units are currently being sold.
According to a BulbAmerica expert, the demand for these LED bulbs is increasing and will grow up to 1 B in another two years.
In addition to the CS161X, Cirrus Logic will also introduce the CS163x, a new LED IC series capable of handling dimming and color mixing, and generating improved warmer and natural light. This new series from Cirrus Logic will enable solving the challenges associated with LED dimmer compatibility. Previously established lighting technologies are being replaced with advanced lighting technology, and the market supports the incorporation of new generation, eco- and consumer- friendly technology.
2012年4月22日 星期日
$60 light bulb comes down in price -- just in time for Earth Day
The $60 LED light bulb is coming down in price – just in time for Earth Day. The bulb's manufacturer and select utilities on Sunday are starting rebates of up to $25, but they still need to convince folks that it’s worth paying upfront to save over time.
The pitch: the 10W bulb will last 30,000 hours and save some $165 over its lifetime compared to a similar 60W incandescent -- plus it's just as bright.
The odd-looking bulb (watch the video above for a demonstration) was unveiled last year and word then was that it'd cost around $60. But the electronics conglomerate Philips this week said its brainchild would be on store shelves with a $50 MSRP, less an instant $10 rebate. On top of that utilities will have rebates of $15-$25 starting on Earth Day.
But that's still at least 15 times more expensive than incandescent bulbs, which are being phased out by a Bush administration law because of their inefficiency.
The LED bulb did win a $10 million federal prize for lighting efficiency last year. But it was also the only entrant and the Department of Energy contest requires that the winning bulb be sold for $22 or less in its first year on the market.
"We are looking at a wholesale change in buying lighting technology, going from a disposable good to a durable good," he added. "Consumers are no longer looking at a product that will last just six months to a year, they are looking at a product that is much more efficient and will be with them for decades."
The LED light uses only 10 watts of power, and is designed to last 30 times longer than an incandescent. If that holds up, it would mean saving about $8 per year in electricity at four hours of use a day.
Backers hope that LED lights will overtake compact fluorescent bulbs, now the market mainstream, but those are much cheaper at $5 or so a pop.
Moreover, early problems with CFLs, where many buyers said they lasted far less than advertised, could resurface with LED bulbs.
That 30,000 hour claim "is easy to get away with because it is difficult to know ahead of time how long a bulb will last," says Brian McGraw, an energy policy analyst for the Competitive Enterprise Institute, a think tank espousing free markets and limited government.
"I currently use CFLs in my house," he adds. "I think they likely save some money over incandescent, but suspect the overall effect is pretty minimal."
The institute doesn't support the rebate program either. "Electricity/lighting markets will generally tend towards the best outcome without any interference," says McGraw. "Consumers are adequately prepared to decide what kind of lighting and balance that with how much energy each product uses."
McGraw says he'd use LED bulbs if he got them for free, but he doesn't plan on buying any -- mostly because he'd feel the need to take them with him if he moves around over the next few years.
Still, he wouldn't blame anyone opposed to rebates and incentives, especially those subsidized by taxpayers, for using them.
"I don’t think its unprincipled to oppose the passage of a law that gives rebates for purchases like this, but to still take advantage of the rebates," he says. After all, I have to pay taxes, too."
The pitch: the 10W bulb will last 30,000 hours and save some $165 over its lifetime compared to a similar 60W incandescent -- plus it's just as bright.
The odd-looking bulb (watch the video above for a demonstration) was unveiled last year and word then was that it'd cost around $60. But the electronics conglomerate Philips this week said its brainchild would be on store shelves with a $50 MSRP, less an instant $10 rebate. On top of that utilities will have rebates of $15-$25 starting on Earth Day.
But that's still at least 15 times more expensive than incandescent bulbs, which are being phased out by a Bush administration law because of their inefficiency.
The LED bulb did win a $10 million federal prize for lighting efficiency last year. But it was also the only entrant and the Department of Energy contest requires that the winning bulb be sold for $22 or less in its first year on the market.
"We are looking at a wholesale change in buying lighting technology, going from a disposable good to a durable good," he added. "Consumers are no longer looking at a product that will last just six months to a year, they are looking at a product that is much more efficient and will be with them for decades."
The LED light uses only 10 watts of power, and is designed to last 30 times longer than an incandescent. If that holds up, it would mean saving about $8 per year in electricity at four hours of use a day.
Backers hope that LED lights will overtake compact fluorescent bulbs, now the market mainstream, but those are much cheaper at $5 or so a pop.
Moreover, early problems with CFLs, where many buyers said they lasted far less than advertised, could resurface with LED bulbs.
That 30,000 hour claim "is easy to get away with because it is difficult to know ahead of time how long a bulb will last," says Brian McGraw, an energy policy analyst for the Competitive Enterprise Institute, a think tank espousing free markets and limited government.
"I currently use CFLs in my house," he adds. "I think they likely save some money over incandescent, but suspect the overall effect is pretty minimal."
The institute doesn't support the rebate program either. "Electricity/lighting markets will generally tend towards the best outcome without any interference," says McGraw. "Consumers are adequately prepared to decide what kind of lighting and balance that with how much energy each product uses."
McGraw says he'd use LED bulbs if he got them for free, but he doesn't plan on buying any -- mostly because he'd feel the need to take them with him if he moves around over the next few years.
Still, he wouldn't blame anyone opposed to rebates and incentives, especially those subsidized by taxpayers, for using them.
"I don’t think its unprincipled to oppose the passage of a law that gives rebates for purchases like this, but to still take advantage of the rebates," he says. After all, I have to pay taxes, too."
2012年4月19日 星期四
A Lamp Made Of Bubbles Blown In Real Time
Design Week in Milan, which is happening now, is overwhelming no matter how you look at it. Emerging from the exhibitions, installations, product debuts, pop-ups, and parties is a very distinct sense that maybe there's just too much "stuff" being produced. While the eternal do-we-really-need-another-chair? debate rages on, one of the more interesting pieces on display this year is also one of the most ephemeral.
The trio of Swedish femmes who make up the design group Front have created the Surface Tension Lamp, an LED with a bubble shade--or, rather, 3 million bubble shades--and this is no George Nelson knock-off. The understated light source will last for 50,000 hours, in which time it will blow an almost unbelievable amount of unique globes, each reflecting its surroundings in a one-off performance before bursting to make way for the next. The action of the lamp encourages the viewer to stop, observe, and contemplate the process, promoting a level of meditation that can be tough to come by this time of year.
The project is part of a collaboration with Booo, a Dutch brand introducing its first collection which also includes a squeezable rubber bulb from Nacho Carbonell and Formafantasma's fixture made from a polymer derived from insect poop. "Lightbulbs now last for up to 20 years with normal use; this is why we think they'll become more precious objects," Booo's director Fernando Arias van Oordt tells Co.Design. "With new technologies it's possible to design and produce these for a similar cost to standard LED lightbulbs." The company's ultimate goal is to realize "innovative concepts that can be of real use to people," and though a bubble-blowing lamp might not make as much sense as a domestic piece, they are discussing putting it into production.
It's fitting, too, that the Surface Tension Lamp will be shown at the Spazio Rossana Orlandi. Each year, the gallery and shop shows a series of impeccably curated installations within the historic walls of its ancient building and courtyard, offering a welcome oasis of centered calm in the fray.
The Atlanta-based E&E lab of SGS will accommodate performance testing, EMC and also ENERGY STAR energy efficiency testing if necessary. Gamma Scientific's NVLAP-accredited laboratory in San Diego will carry out photometric testing. This lab has been presented with LM-79 accreditation for Solid State Lighting Luminaires' Luminous Intensity Measurements and Total Flux Measurements.
Through this expansion, luminaire companies can formulate custom testing schedules for market demands. In addition, service sourcing can be acquired from a single supplier, through a single account manager for rapid communication and improved accountability.
Gamma Scientific for photometry testing is proficient enough to test up to 30" x 30" luminaires using a new goniometer for an improved luminous intensity distribution. It has long-term expertise in photometry testing on LED lighting products and LED retrofit such as high bay fixtures, LED light bulbs and street lights. The LED test solutions were synthesized with the help of Gamma Scientifics' proprietary high-tech equipment.
SGS' Finland and Taiwan labs serve global producers with photometry testing, whereas its other branch offices provide lighting testing services. Since 1998, SGS has been operating as OSHA Nationally Recognized Testing Laboratory (NRTL).
The trio of Swedish femmes who make up the design group Front have created the Surface Tension Lamp, an LED with a bubble shade--or, rather, 3 million bubble shades--and this is no George Nelson knock-off. The understated light source will last for 50,000 hours, in which time it will blow an almost unbelievable amount of unique globes, each reflecting its surroundings in a one-off performance before bursting to make way for the next. The action of the lamp encourages the viewer to stop, observe, and contemplate the process, promoting a level of meditation that can be tough to come by this time of year.
The project is part of a collaboration with Booo, a Dutch brand introducing its first collection which also includes a squeezable rubber bulb from Nacho Carbonell and Formafantasma's fixture made from a polymer derived from insect poop. "Lightbulbs now last for up to 20 years with normal use; this is why we think they'll become more precious objects," Booo's director Fernando Arias van Oordt tells Co.Design. "With new technologies it's possible to design and produce these for a similar cost to standard LED lightbulbs." The company's ultimate goal is to realize "innovative concepts that can be of real use to people," and though a bubble-blowing lamp might not make as much sense as a domestic piece, they are discussing putting it into production.
It's fitting, too, that the Surface Tension Lamp will be shown at the Spazio Rossana Orlandi. Each year, the gallery and shop shows a series of impeccably curated installations within the historic walls of its ancient building and courtyard, offering a welcome oasis of centered calm in the fray.
The Atlanta-based E&E lab of SGS will accommodate performance testing, EMC and also ENERGY STAR energy efficiency testing if necessary. Gamma Scientific's NVLAP-accredited laboratory in San Diego will carry out photometric testing. This lab has been presented with LM-79 accreditation for Solid State Lighting Luminaires' Luminous Intensity Measurements and Total Flux Measurements.
Through this expansion, luminaire companies can formulate custom testing schedules for market demands. In addition, service sourcing can be acquired from a single supplier, through a single account manager for rapid communication and improved accountability.
Gamma Scientific for photometry testing is proficient enough to test up to 30" x 30" luminaires using a new goniometer for an improved luminous intensity distribution. It has long-term expertise in photometry testing on LED lighting products and LED retrofit such as high bay fixtures, LED light bulbs and street lights. The LED test solutions were synthesized with the help of Gamma Scientifics' proprietary high-tech equipment.
SGS' Finland and Taiwan labs serve global producers with photometry testing, whereas its other branch offices provide lighting testing services. Since 1998, SGS has been operating as OSHA Nationally Recognized Testing Laboratory (NRTL).
2012年4月18日 星期三
Greenlight Planet Inc., Raises 4mm USD
Greenlight Planet is a leading designer and distributor of solar-LED home lights, which are poised to replace kerosene lamps as the dominant indoor light source for the billion-plus people living without reliable access to an electrical grid, primarily in rural areas of the developing world. Greenlight Planet designs its award-winning Sun King brand solar lanterns with a focus on durability recognized as unique in the industry, and distributes the lights through a growing direct-sales force comprised of local community members. The new investment will be used to expand Greenlight's successful model nationwide in India, grow its global partnerships, and to innovate the next generation of high-quality, low-cost energy products specifically designed for rural consumers.
With the closing of this investment round, Mr Keith Allman from Bamboo Finance joins on the company's board of directors which is currently composed of Dr. P. K. Sinha and the founders, Mayank Sekhsaria, Anish Thakkar, and T. Patrick Walsh.
"Bamboo Finance has a great interest in companies providing underserved communities access to energy. With our prior experience in investing in rural electrification companies, we found that Greenlight Planet developed a remarkable business model, which entails the production of high quality products as well as a unique and scalable distribution method to maximize market penetration. Moreover, management spends a significant amount of time in the field to better understand the needs of their clients and transforms that understanding into innovative products. We are delighted to take part in shaping the promising future of Greenlight Planet and expanding access to energy to rural communities", says Keith Allman, Investment Manager, Bamboo Finance.
Dr. Sinha adds "Having grown up with kerosene lanterns in rural Bihar, a core Sun King market, I understand the enormous opportunity and the tremendous economic and health benefits of our solar lamps. I am pleased to continue to invest in Greenlight Planet's great products and innovative distribution model. But above all, I am investing in its founding team who will undoubtedly continue on the path of learning and innovation. I look forward to "6 by 6" -- Sun King reaching 6 million households by 2016."
Greenlight's CTO, T. Patrick Walsh adds "We have been thrilled to work with the Bamboo Finance team and Dr. Sinha, who believe like us that in this rapidly growing industry, profit only follows the efficient delivery of true social utility. The board remains driven by our conviction that the company offering the best user experience will win: We have exciting challenges and hard work ahead, as this investment allows us to massively expand to meet the energy needs of an enormous under-served consumer base."
Greenlight Planet designs and distributes solar-powered lanterns to villagers in rural India and Africa: remarkably useful products that are unfamiliar to our disconnected consumers. At 19 USD, our Sun King solar lantern costs the equivalent of two weeks' wages for the average consumer. But in many villages, 30% of households have purchased our product and given up the dim, dirty kerosene lighting forever.
With the closing of this investment round, Mr Keith Allman from Bamboo Finance joins on the company's board of directors which is currently composed of Dr. P. K. Sinha and the founders, Mayank Sekhsaria, Anish Thakkar, and T. Patrick Walsh.
"Bamboo Finance has a great interest in companies providing underserved communities access to energy. With our prior experience in investing in rural electrification companies, we found that Greenlight Planet developed a remarkable business model, which entails the production of high quality products as well as a unique and scalable distribution method to maximize market penetration. Moreover, management spends a significant amount of time in the field to better understand the needs of their clients and transforms that understanding into innovative products. We are delighted to take part in shaping the promising future of Greenlight Planet and expanding access to energy to rural communities", says Keith Allman, Investment Manager, Bamboo Finance.
Dr. Sinha adds "Having grown up with kerosene lanterns in rural Bihar, a core Sun King market, I understand the enormous opportunity and the tremendous economic and health benefits of our solar lamps. I am pleased to continue to invest in Greenlight Planet's great products and innovative distribution model. But above all, I am investing in its founding team who will undoubtedly continue on the path of learning and innovation. I look forward to "6 by 6" -- Sun King reaching 6 million households by 2016."
Greenlight's CTO, T. Patrick Walsh adds "We have been thrilled to work with the Bamboo Finance team and Dr. Sinha, who believe like us that in this rapidly growing industry, profit only follows the efficient delivery of true social utility. The board remains driven by our conviction that the company offering the best user experience will win: We have exciting challenges and hard work ahead, as this investment allows us to massively expand to meet the energy needs of an enormous under-served consumer base."
Greenlight Planet designs and distributes solar-powered lanterns to villagers in rural India and Africa: remarkably useful products that are unfamiliar to our disconnected consumers. At 19 USD, our Sun King solar lantern costs the equivalent of two weeks' wages for the average consumer. But in many villages, 30% of households have purchased our product and given up the dim, dirty kerosene lighting forever.
2012年4月17日 星期二
Boone Grove Compost Site to Open April 23
The Boone Grove compost site, 400 West 550 South , will open for the season Monday, April 23, 2012, from noon to 5 p.m. Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays, and from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturdays. The site, owned and operated by the Recycling and Waste Reduction District of Porter County, is currently closed.
Porter County residents are encouraged to drop off their organic yard waste, grass clippings, leaves, garden clippings, household plants, brush, limbs, logs and firewood at the site, where they will be recycled into compost and mulch. Treated wood or lumber is not accepted.
Residents can also bring their old or unusable electronics (anything with an electrical cord or powered by batteries), spent compact fluorescent light bulbs and batteries to the Boone Grove compost site for proper disposal.
The Valparaiso compost site, located at 2150 W. Lincolnway, is already open for the season from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Mondays through Fridays, and 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturdays. The site is owned by the City of Valparaiso, and the Recycling and Waste Reduction District of Porter County helps to maintain it and staff the guard house.
Except for grass clippings, Porter County residents can recycle the same kinds of materials at the Valpo site that are accepted at the Boone Grove site.
A limited amount of compost and mulch are currently available at both compost sites for Porter County residents to take. Residents should bring shovels and buckets. More mulch will be available toward the end of April after a scheduled grinding takes place.
The City of Valparaiso and the Recycling and Waste Reduction District of Porter County will mark International Compost Awareness Week from May 7 through 12 at the Valparaiso compost site. The city will load compost for residents for free from 9 a.m. to noon.
The Ohio University-Lancaster campus will host a community disposal day and drug drop-off from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. April 28 in the north parking lot at OU-L, 1570 Granville Pike, Lancaster.
Among the items that will be accepted are batteries, computer equipment, cellphones, telephone books and unused or outdated prescription medications. Residents also can bring up to two boxes of confidential documents to be shredded.
Paint, household chemicals, compact fluorescent light bulbs, televisions and medical equipment will not be accepted.
Porter County residents are encouraged to drop off their organic yard waste, grass clippings, leaves, garden clippings, household plants, brush, limbs, logs and firewood at the site, where they will be recycled into compost and mulch. Treated wood or lumber is not accepted.
Residents can also bring their old or unusable electronics (anything with an electrical cord or powered by batteries), spent compact fluorescent light bulbs and batteries to the Boone Grove compost site for proper disposal.
The Valparaiso compost site, located at 2150 W. Lincolnway, is already open for the season from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Mondays through Fridays, and 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturdays. The site is owned by the City of Valparaiso, and the Recycling and Waste Reduction District of Porter County helps to maintain it and staff the guard house.
Except for grass clippings, Porter County residents can recycle the same kinds of materials at the Valpo site that are accepted at the Boone Grove site.
A limited amount of compost and mulch are currently available at both compost sites for Porter County residents to take. Residents should bring shovels and buckets. More mulch will be available toward the end of April after a scheduled grinding takes place.
The City of Valparaiso and the Recycling and Waste Reduction District of Porter County will mark International Compost Awareness Week from May 7 through 12 at the Valparaiso compost site. The city will load compost for residents for free from 9 a.m. to noon.
The Ohio University-Lancaster campus will host a community disposal day and drug drop-off from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. April 28 in the north parking lot at OU-L, 1570 Granville Pike, Lancaster.
Among the items that will be accepted are batteries, computer equipment, cellphones, telephone books and unused or outdated prescription medications. Residents also can bring up to two boxes of confidential documents to be shredded.
Paint, household chemicals, compact fluorescent light bulbs, televisions and medical equipment will not be accepted.
2012年4月16日 星期一
Nuventix Launches New SynJet Coolers for LED Thermal Management
Each of these devices build upon the inherent strengths of Nuventix SynJet technology, allowing for brighter, reliable, longer-lasting LED lights and accelerating the growth and adoption of LED lighting throughout the world.
"Nuventix enjoyed record growth and performance in 2011, and we expect this momentum to continue throughout 2012 and beyond, aided by the introduction of new and innovative products including outdoor, high bay and wall wash coolers," said Jim Balthazar, CEO and president of Nuventix. "SynJet technology is the only way to cool down LEDs reliably, efficiently, quietly and in the form factors designers want. With customers in over 50 countries, our technology is truly speeding up the adoption of LED lighting throughout the world."
Wall Wash Cooler 77W The Nuventix Wall Wash Cooler 77W is the first ever SynJet with a rectangular form factor, designed specifically for wall wash luminaires, tracklights, and floodlights. The Wall Wash Cooler 77W provides up to 77 watts of cooling while enabling up to 6000 lumens of light in a compact form factor. This SynJet cooler will be available for purchase in May 2012.
Outdoor Cooler 70W and 77W Designed to meet the demanding requirements of outdoor lighting, the Outdoor Cooler 70W and 77W SynJet solutions enable outdoor LED lighting up to 8,000 and 6,000 lumens, respectively. These solutions are modular and can be combined to achieve lumen outputs over 15,000 lumens. From extreme temperatures, to rain and humidity, to dust and salt fog, Nuventix' outdoor coolers have been carefully designed to withstand most anything nature can throw at them. The Outdoor Cooler 70W and 77W will be available for purchase in May 2012.
Spotlight Cooler 57W The Spotlight Cooler 57W enables up to 3000 lumens for tracklights, downlights and recessed adjustable downlights. With a SynJet that sits on top of the LED heatsink, not in it, the unique design makes this the quietest SynJet thermal management solution ever developed. It is the ideal thermal management solution for LED lights in homes, museums, retail stores, offices and anywhere sound is a factor. The Spotlight Cooler 57W will be available for purchase in July 2012.
In addition to the above coolers, Nuventix will be demoing a prototype of the company's new High Bay Cooler 150W SynJet thermal management solution. The 150W cooling solution will enable a 15,000 lumen output in a form factor that is 33 percent smaller and 60 percent lighter than equivalent passive cooling solutions. The High Bay Cooler 150W, Nuventix' first cooling solution for high bay lighting, is expected to be available in January 2013.
Nuventix is the company that cools, providing the only answer to the growing problem of thermal management in electronics. From chips in LED lighting to embedded computing and beyond, the Nuventix SynJet offers a reliable, quiet and energy efficient cooling solution in a variety of sizes and form factors. Nuventix, with its innovative SynJet technology product line, has been solving thermal management problems for customers around the world since 2003.
"Nuventix enjoyed record growth and performance in 2011, and we expect this momentum to continue throughout 2012 and beyond, aided by the introduction of new and innovative products including outdoor, high bay and wall wash coolers," said Jim Balthazar, CEO and president of Nuventix. "SynJet technology is the only way to cool down LEDs reliably, efficiently, quietly and in the form factors designers want. With customers in over 50 countries, our technology is truly speeding up the adoption of LED lighting throughout the world."
Wall Wash Cooler 77W The Nuventix Wall Wash Cooler 77W is the first ever SynJet with a rectangular form factor, designed specifically for wall wash luminaires, tracklights, and floodlights. The Wall Wash Cooler 77W provides up to 77 watts of cooling while enabling up to 6000 lumens of light in a compact form factor. This SynJet cooler will be available for purchase in May 2012.
Outdoor Cooler 70W and 77W Designed to meet the demanding requirements of outdoor lighting, the Outdoor Cooler 70W and 77W SynJet solutions enable outdoor LED lighting up to 8,000 and 6,000 lumens, respectively. These solutions are modular and can be combined to achieve lumen outputs over 15,000 lumens. From extreme temperatures, to rain and humidity, to dust and salt fog, Nuventix' outdoor coolers have been carefully designed to withstand most anything nature can throw at them. The Outdoor Cooler 70W and 77W will be available for purchase in May 2012.
Spotlight Cooler 57W The Spotlight Cooler 57W enables up to 3000 lumens for tracklights, downlights and recessed adjustable downlights. With a SynJet that sits on top of the LED heatsink, not in it, the unique design makes this the quietest SynJet thermal management solution ever developed. It is the ideal thermal management solution for LED lights in homes, museums, retail stores, offices and anywhere sound is a factor. The Spotlight Cooler 57W will be available for purchase in July 2012.
In addition to the above coolers, Nuventix will be demoing a prototype of the company's new High Bay Cooler 150W SynJet thermal management solution. The 150W cooling solution will enable a 15,000 lumen output in a form factor that is 33 percent smaller and 60 percent lighter than equivalent passive cooling solutions. The High Bay Cooler 150W, Nuventix' first cooling solution for high bay lighting, is expected to be available in January 2013.
Nuventix is the company that cools, providing the only answer to the growing problem of thermal management in electronics. From chips in LED lighting to embedded computing and beyond, the Nuventix SynJet offers a reliable, quiet and energy efficient cooling solution in a variety of sizes and form factors. Nuventix, with its innovative SynJet technology product line, has been solving thermal management problems for customers around the world since 2003.
2012年4月15日 星期日
Light bulbs are no joke
We were sitting around the dining room table at Chigger Mountain Farm after feasting on my Aunt Dud's Easter ham and scalloped potatoes when Uncle Fud asked, "How many Big Dig officials does it take to change a light bulb?"
"I give up, how many?" I asked.
"Four," he said. "One to put in the wrong kind of bulb, a second to discover it was wrong, a third to put in a new one and a fourth to look for $54 million to pay for the first guy's mistake."
"You're referring, of course, to the light fixture fiasco in the Boston tunnel system that cost a mere $15 billion to build," I said.
"Of course," Uncle Fud said. "Come to think of it, maybe they'll need a fifth guy to applaud when the third guy puts in lights that don't rust."
"A novel idea for underwater tunnels that leak," I said. "They're also planning to install the more energy-efficient LED lights that use less electricity, which might help the guy looking for money."
"Glad you mentioned that because it leads to another question," he said. "How many Icklers will it take to change a light bulb the next time one goes out in Utopia by Bosky Dell?"
"Should be only one," I said. "I'm not the world's greatest handyman but I don't need help changing a light bulb."
"Wrong," said Uncle Fud. "From what I've been readin' about the new light bulbs, it will take at least two people to figure out what kind of bulb to buy before you put it in. And maybe you'd better take along a third person to break a possible tie vote."
"What's to vote on?" I asked.
"Nowadays it ain't like walkin' into the store and grabbin' a package of bulbs that look like the one Thomas Edison invented," he said. "Now you got shelves full of incandescents, compact fluorescents and LED bulbs that cost anywhere from $2.50 to $20 to pick from."
"Enlighten me," I said. "Why would I buy a bulb that costs $20?"
"Because it would last a whole lot longer than the cheaper bulb," Uncle Fud said. "They're makin' LED bulbs that are supposed to last as much as 20 years. People my age are talkin' about puttin' them in their will."
"That does make the choice more complicated," I said. "I'd probably be brighter to buy a cheaper bulb for some low-usage place like the basement, but where do you draw the break-even line?"
"I give up, how many?" I asked.
"Four," he said. "One to put in the wrong kind of bulb, a second to discover it was wrong, a third to put in a new one and a fourth to look for $54 million to pay for the first guy's mistake."
"You're referring, of course, to the light fixture fiasco in the Boston tunnel system that cost a mere $15 billion to build," I said.
"Of course," Uncle Fud said. "Come to think of it, maybe they'll need a fifth guy to applaud when the third guy puts in lights that don't rust."
"A novel idea for underwater tunnels that leak," I said. "They're also planning to install the more energy-efficient LED lights that use less electricity, which might help the guy looking for money."
"Glad you mentioned that because it leads to another question," he said. "How many Icklers will it take to change a light bulb the next time one goes out in Utopia by Bosky Dell?"
"Should be only one," I said. "I'm not the world's greatest handyman but I don't need help changing a light bulb."
"Wrong," said Uncle Fud. "From what I've been readin' about the new light bulbs, it will take at least two people to figure out what kind of bulb to buy before you put it in. And maybe you'd better take along a third person to break a possible tie vote."
"What's to vote on?" I asked.
"Nowadays it ain't like walkin' into the store and grabbin' a package of bulbs that look like the one Thomas Edison invented," he said. "Now you got shelves full of incandescents, compact fluorescents and LED bulbs that cost anywhere from $2.50 to $20 to pick from."
"Enlighten me," I said. "Why would I buy a bulb that costs $20?"
"Because it would last a whole lot longer than the cheaper bulb," Uncle Fud said. "They're makin' LED bulbs that are supposed to last as much as 20 years. People my age are talkin' about puttin' them in their will."
"That does make the choice more complicated," I said. "I'd probably be brighter to buy a cheaper bulb for some low-usage place like the basement, but where do you draw the break-even line?"
2012年4月12日 星期四
LED Companies Look to Expand in the Outdoor-Lighting Market
The LED market looks to be heating up once again, as a drop in prices for LED streetlights may begin to sway local governments to make the switch to the new technology. According to a report put out by the Department of Energy, roadway lighting accounts for 25 percent of the outdoor-lighting market in the U.S. with LED lights making up only a 3 percent share of the roadway market.
"The LED industry has grown in cycles," observed Eric Higham, Director of the Strategy Analytics GaAs and Compound Semiconductor Technologies Service. "The first phase involved backlighting for small consumer devices, like mobile handsets. These solutions have evolved to meet the needs of laptop, television, electronic sign and automotive applications and the next wave for LED adoption appears to be commercial and residential lighting."
Paragon Report releases regular market updates on the Resorts & Casinos Industry so investors can stay ahead of the crowd and make the best investment decisions to maximize their returns. Take a few minutes to register with us free at www.ParagonReport.com and get exclusive access to our numerous stock reports and industry newsletters.
Cree, Inc. announced a breakthrough innovation in street lighting with the introduction of the XSP Series LED Street Light -- the most affordable and efficient Cree(R) LED street light designed to speed payback to municipalities. Using nearly 50 percent less energy and designed to last over three times longer than wasteful, traditional high-pressure sodium street lighting, the XSP Series can double the lumens per dollar compared to previous generations of Cree LED street lights and is the ideal choice for cities and municipalities looking to save money and resources.
Rubicon Technology, Inc., a leading provider of sapphire substrates and products to the LED, RFIC, semiconductor, and optical industries, reported fourth quarter revenue of $19.4 million, which was slightly below the range of management's November guidance. Revenue decreased both year-over-year and sequentially, largely as a result of weak demand from the LED market due to excess inventory in the LED supplies chain.
Paragon Report provides Market Research focused on equities that offer growth opportunities, value, and strong potential return. We strive to provide the most up-to-date market activities. We constantly create research reports and newsletters for our members. The Paragon Report has not been compensated by any of the above-mentioned companies. We act as independent research portal and are aware that all investment entails inherent risks.
"The LED industry has grown in cycles," observed Eric Higham, Director of the Strategy Analytics GaAs and Compound Semiconductor Technologies Service. "The first phase involved backlighting for small consumer devices, like mobile handsets. These solutions have evolved to meet the needs of laptop, television, electronic sign and automotive applications and the next wave for LED adoption appears to be commercial and residential lighting."
Paragon Report releases regular market updates on the Resorts & Casinos Industry so investors can stay ahead of the crowd and make the best investment decisions to maximize their returns. Take a few minutes to register with us free at www.ParagonReport.com and get exclusive access to our numerous stock reports and industry newsletters.
Cree, Inc. announced a breakthrough innovation in street lighting with the introduction of the XSP Series LED Street Light -- the most affordable and efficient Cree(R) LED street light designed to speed payback to municipalities. Using nearly 50 percent less energy and designed to last over three times longer than wasteful, traditional high-pressure sodium street lighting, the XSP Series can double the lumens per dollar compared to previous generations of Cree LED street lights and is the ideal choice for cities and municipalities looking to save money and resources.
Rubicon Technology, Inc., a leading provider of sapphire substrates and products to the LED, RFIC, semiconductor, and optical industries, reported fourth quarter revenue of $19.4 million, which was slightly below the range of management's November guidance. Revenue decreased both year-over-year and sequentially, largely as a result of weak demand from the LED market due to excess inventory in the LED supplies chain.
Paragon Report provides Market Research focused on equities that offer growth opportunities, value, and strong potential return. We strive to provide the most up-to-date market activities. We constantly create research reports and newsletters for our members. The Paragon Report has not been compensated by any of the above-mentioned companies. We act as independent research portal and are aware that all investment entails inherent risks.
2012年4月11日 星期三
TerraLUX Wins 2012 Product Innovation Award from Architectural SSL magazine
TerraLUX Inc. announced today that the company has been honored with a Product Innovation Award (PIA) from Architectural SSL magazine for its revolutionary Line Voltage Linear Module.
Unlike most LED lighting solutions in the past, the TerraLUX Line Voltage Linear Module requires no separate LED Driver or extra hardware. All you need to install the unit is three wire nuts and a screwdriver. And, retrofitting many fixtures with the Line Voltage Linear Module will not change its UL listing, making post-installation inspections a breeze.
Additionally, the Line Voltage Linear Module is designed with a Smart Thermal Design and patented LEDSense Thermal Foldback circuitry that will lower power if the LEDs are running too hot. The Line Voltage Linear Module is suited for indoor and outdoor installations in wall sconces, recessed step lights and wall lights, ceiling surface mounted fixtures, outdoor wall packs and any other sealed fixtures.
The Architectural SSL PIAs recognize innovative LED and solid-state luminaires and fixtures on the market, while also spotlighting the players behind the components that make up these light sources. With judging and evaluation of products and systems from a distinguished panel of 24 designers and lighting specialists skilled in product evaluation, the SSL PIA program awards manufacturers based on attributes, qualities, functionality and/or performance beyond industry standards.
"Being recognized by Architectural SSL magazine with a Product Innovation Award is a great honor for TerraLUX," said Erik Milz, VP of Marketing. "Our Line Voltage Linear Module is changing the face of the LED marketplace, making it easier than ever for hotels, schools and other institutions to replace outdated incandescent bulbs with energy-efficient LEDs while cutting costs and eliminating the need to purchase new fixtures."
TerraLUX Inc. is headquartered in Longmont, Colo., and invents, designs, patents, manufactures and distributes innovative high power LED solutions for general illumination, industrial, commercial, medical and portable applications. TerraLUX produces fully integrated LED Light Engines and Modules to replace incandescent bulbs in commercial lighting as well as many popular flashlights and lighting tools. LED lighting is energy efficient and mercury-free, and can provide significant relief from current energy consumption.
Unlike most LED lighting solutions in the past, the TerraLUX Line Voltage Linear Module requires no separate LED Driver or extra hardware. All you need to install the unit is three wire nuts and a screwdriver. And, retrofitting many fixtures with the Line Voltage Linear Module will not change its UL listing, making post-installation inspections a breeze.
Additionally, the Line Voltage Linear Module is designed with a Smart Thermal Design and patented LEDSense Thermal Foldback circuitry that will lower power if the LEDs are running too hot. The Line Voltage Linear Module is suited for indoor and outdoor installations in wall sconces, recessed step lights and wall lights, ceiling surface mounted fixtures, outdoor wall packs and any other sealed fixtures.
The Architectural SSL PIAs recognize innovative LED and solid-state luminaires and fixtures on the market, while also spotlighting the players behind the components that make up these light sources. With judging and evaluation of products and systems from a distinguished panel of 24 designers and lighting specialists skilled in product evaluation, the SSL PIA program awards manufacturers based on attributes, qualities, functionality and/or performance beyond industry standards.
"Being recognized by Architectural SSL magazine with a Product Innovation Award is a great honor for TerraLUX," said Erik Milz, VP of Marketing. "Our Line Voltage Linear Module is changing the face of the LED marketplace, making it easier than ever for hotels, schools and other institutions to replace outdated incandescent bulbs with energy-efficient LEDs while cutting costs and eliminating the need to purchase new fixtures."
TerraLUX Inc. is headquartered in Longmont, Colo., and invents, designs, patents, manufactures and distributes innovative high power LED solutions for general illumination, industrial, commercial, medical and portable applications. TerraLUX produces fully integrated LED Light Engines and Modules to replace incandescent bulbs in commercial lighting as well as many popular flashlights and lighting tools. LED lighting is energy efficient and mercury-free, and can provide significant relief from current energy consumption.
2012年4月10日 星期二
Lighting Designer Puts Spotlight on Landscape and Architectural Schemes
One of the deadly sins of exterior lighting is the "runway" look: a line of plastic lighting fixtures stuck into the ground, with wires running from one stake to another. "This is the worst way to arrange pathway lighting – it looks like markers for an airport," said Marblehead lighting designer Nancy Goldstein. Another lighting no-no is depending on the local big box hardware store for lamps and other accessories. "This is a thoughtless lighting decision that makes me shudder," said Goldstein, 54, principal of Light Positive, a lighting design firm that specializes in landscape and architectural projects. People don't realize that there is something better out there. It's a matter of education."
Goldstein has been in the lighting profession for over 30 years, ever since a college dorm mate knocked on her door and asked her to help out with a theater set-up. These were the days of old-style "piano boards," mechanically mastered resistance dimmers with the big handles, but from that day on, Goldstein was hooked on not just being able to control lighting, but also the experience of manipulating shadows and spotlights. "Lighting amplifies whatever you are trying to convey whether it's a dance concert or an interactive exhibit at a museum. It affects how you feel in a place," said Goldstein, who has her M.F.A. in lighting design from the Boston University School of Theatre Arts.
Q: You recently finished lighting the Boston Flower and Garden Show. How was that?
A: The Seaport World Trade Center has florescent overhead lighting, but we turn them off and hang over 400 theatrical lighting fixtures from the ceiling with truss work. I use filters, also known as gels, to tone the exhibitors' gardens, so one side of the exhibit looks like it's in the sunshine and the other is in the moonlight, for example. I look at the plant material, and then adjust, color and aim the lights, so the exhibits are ready for the judges the next day.
Q: What's hot now in lighting?
A: LED, LED, and LED. I attended the international trade show and conference called Light Fair International and joked that it should have been named LED Fair International, because it was all about LEDs or Light Emitting Diodes.
Q: Isn't LED lighting quite cool or bluish-white in appearance?
A: LED runs the gamut. I like a lot of LED product that I see – and a lot is terrible. You can't just walk into a retailer and pull a LED replacement bulb off the shelf and get good lighting. You need to know how to specify what you want, and there are different "color temperatures" that appear warmer, although they are less energy-efficient.
Q: How do you plan lighting for the outdoors?
A: Ideally, interior and exterior spaces are integrated so a client can enjoy the landscape from the inside at nighttime, whether it's illuminating a treescape or a garden. There should be no "black mirror" effect, when you look out the window, all you see is a glaring reflection. Often when creating yard settings, I do a mock-up with a battery pack, running temporary lighting up trees. After that, we come up with an equipment list and proposal. A subcontractor does the installation, and then I come back and aim and focus so the lights are exactly the way they should be.
Goldstein has been in the lighting profession for over 30 years, ever since a college dorm mate knocked on her door and asked her to help out with a theater set-up. These were the days of old-style "piano boards," mechanically mastered resistance dimmers with the big handles, but from that day on, Goldstein was hooked on not just being able to control lighting, but also the experience of manipulating shadows and spotlights. "Lighting amplifies whatever you are trying to convey whether it's a dance concert or an interactive exhibit at a museum. It affects how you feel in a place," said Goldstein, who has her M.F.A. in lighting design from the Boston University School of Theatre Arts.
Q: You recently finished lighting the Boston Flower and Garden Show. How was that?
A: The Seaport World Trade Center has florescent overhead lighting, but we turn them off and hang over 400 theatrical lighting fixtures from the ceiling with truss work. I use filters, also known as gels, to tone the exhibitors' gardens, so one side of the exhibit looks like it's in the sunshine and the other is in the moonlight, for example. I look at the plant material, and then adjust, color and aim the lights, so the exhibits are ready for the judges the next day.
Q: What's hot now in lighting?
A: LED, LED, and LED. I attended the international trade show and conference called Light Fair International and joked that it should have been named LED Fair International, because it was all about LEDs or Light Emitting Diodes.
Q: Isn't LED lighting quite cool or bluish-white in appearance?
A: LED runs the gamut. I like a lot of LED product that I see – and a lot is terrible. You can't just walk into a retailer and pull a LED replacement bulb off the shelf and get good lighting. You need to know how to specify what you want, and there are different "color temperatures" that appear warmer, although they are less energy-efficient.
Q: How do you plan lighting for the outdoors?
A: Ideally, interior and exterior spaces are integrated so a client can enjoy the landscape from the inside at nighttime, whether it's illuminating a treescape or a garden. There should be no "black mirror" effect, when you look out the window, all you see is a glaring reflection. Often when creating yard settings, I do a mock-up with a battery pack, running temporary lighting up trees. After that, we come up with an equipment list and proposal. A subcontractor does the installation, and then I come back and aim and focus so the lights are exactly the way they should be.
2012年4月5日 星期四
Rolling out the LEDs
There was a light hearted atmosphere as city staff and councillors gathered at the corner Frazer and Hooker Streets Tuesday afternoon.
city representatives, line contractors from Trans Test and Appalachian Lighting Systems gathered at the intersection to witness the first installation in a roll out of 4,300 LED cobra-head streetlight fixtures across the city.
"For the last six years we've been looking at LED," said traffic, parking and bylaw manager David Ferguson, noting the rollout of the 4,300 SL-4 fixtures represents the first of two phases that will see the city's lighting system completely switched over to the energy saving technology. The first phase is set to wrap up in August before phase two sees the city's pole-top lights swapped.
"The big advantage is the energy conservation," said Ferguson, explaining the switch will result in a 70 per cent reduction in the city's lighting bill that currently sits at about $834,000 annually. With that level of savings he said the project essentially pays for itself, especially when the $4.4 million budget for the project will be paid back entirely out of the annual savings. Ferguson pointed out the long-lasting lights also deliver a 50 per cent saving in maintenance costs.
"It's great to see them finally going up," he said.
While the plans for the lights have been in the works for years the move represents a North American first as Welland will be the first city to replace all its lights with LED technology featuring integrated control systems.
"It's the most sophisticated light in the world," said Dave McAnally, president of Appalachian Lighting, the firms supplying the lights. He noted the Welland project is perhaps the company's most important as it showcases the integrated controls that can see lights dimmed and switched on or off via remote right down to the individual fixture.
"The city showed tremendous partnership to wait for this," McAnally said, explaining the city held off on replacing its fixtures until the cutting-edge lights were available.
"You have complete flexibility," he said, demonstrating how, with the proper software and security encryption individual lights can be controlled from an iPad.
He added that residents should be proud of the new system and the forward thinking it demonstrates.
"Lighting is the last bastion of truly ancient technology," said McAnally, adding, "this is the future."
"It makes a statement about this city being prepared to move in new directions," said Mayor Barry Sharpe, noting the move comes as a part of the city's dedication to promoting green technology and attracting green industry.
city representatives, line contractors from Trans Test and Appalachian Lighting Systems gathered at the intersection to witness the first installation in a roll out of 4,300 LED cobra-head streetlight fixtures across the city.
"For the last six years we've been looking at LED," said traffic, parking and bylaw manager David Ferguson, noting the rollout of the 4,300 SL-4 fixtures represents the first of two phases that will see the city's lighting system completely switched over to the energy saving technology. The first phase is set to wrap up in August before phase two sees the city's pole-top lights swapped.
"The big advantage is the energy conservation," said Ferguson, explaining the switch will result in a 70 per cent reduction in the city's lighting bill that currently sits at about $834,000 annually. With that level of savings he said the project essentially pays for itself, especially when the $4.4 million budget for the project will be paid back entirely out of the annual savings. Ferguson pointed out the long-lasting lights also deliver a 50 per cent saving in maintenance costs.
"It's great to see them finally going up," he said.
While the plans for the lights have been in the works for years the move represents a North American first as Welland will be the first city to replace all its lights with LED technology featuring integrated control systems.
"It's the most sophisticated light in the world," said Dave McAnally, president of Appalachian Lighting, the firms supplying the lights. He noted the Welland project is perhaps the company's most important as it showcases the integrated controls that can see lights dimmed and switched on or off via remote right down to the individual fixture.
"The city showed tremendous partnership to wait for this," McAnally said, explaining the city held off on replacing its fixtures until the cutting-edge lights were available.
"You have complete flexibility," he said, demonstrating how, with the proper software and security encryption individual lights can be controlled from an iPad.
He added that residents should be proud of the new system and the forward thinking it demonstrates.
"Lighting is the last bastion of truly ancient technology," said McAnally, adding, "this is the future."
"It makes a statement about this city being prepared to move in new directions," said Mayor Barry Sharpe, noting the move comes as a part of the city's dedication to promoting green technology and attracting green industry.
2012年4月4日 星期三
Marysville flips switch on street lights
After nearly two years of living in the shadows, Marysville residents will soon have their street lights restored.
In an effort to make the city eligible for a California Energy Commission grant, the City Council voted Tuesday for a $5,700 budget allotment for restoration of about 500 street lights.
The lights were turned off in the summer of 2010 to save the city money.
"Our citizens have really worked hard with us and have put up with darkened streets for too long," said Mayor Bill Harris.
The lights are expected to come back on before early May. The move will allow use of $447,790 in energy commission grant funds to retrofit most of the Marysville's street lights with more efficient and cost-effective LED fixtures.
LED lighting uses about half the energy as conventional light fixtures and last more than five times longer, according to George Musallam, Yuba City's director of public works and utilities. Yuba City also has a program in place to convert its street lights to LED.
A $1.35 million loan from the California Energy Commission will allow roughly 3,500 streetlights owned by Yuba City to be replaced with the new fixtures.
The city will use savings in energy costs to repay the loan over 11 years, Musallam said.
"After that, all the savings will be ours," he said. "It's a really good deal."
Marysville began its LED replacement project in the fall of 2010 with 176 streetlight conversions.
About 1,000 fixtures have yet to be replaced. The project does not include lights on highways 20 and 70, which are managed by Caltrans.
Councilman Dale Whitmore took issue on Tuesday with the $5,700 necessary to restore Marysville's lights prior to conversion.
"Couldn't we just leave the lights off during those two months and save money?" he said.
"I don't see why we should wait," said Councilwoman Christina Billeci, who echoed Harris' point about Marysville residents tolerating dark streets.
The tall white lights that illuminate the mile-long River Walk that hugs the St. Clair River in Marysville will be spruced up this summer.
At the March 26 city council meeting, Councilman Duke Dunn said that he had received a few phone calls from residents inquiring about the condition of the lamps.
"They're rusty," said Department of Public Works Supervisor Barry Kreiner. "It was on my list of things to do last fall, but I couldn't get to it."
Once the DPW's seven summer workers are back in the field, Kreiner plans to have them take a power wheel to the lamp poles, prime them and paint them.
"It's just surface rust, nothing structural," said Kreiner.
Kreiner also mentioned the possibility of upgrading the fixtures.
"Those lights draw a lot of power and cost the city $10,000 last year," Kreiner said. "I talked to the manufacturer and they make a retro-fit for a LED light."
LED is an acronym for light-emitting diode, a semiconductor light source producing electroluminescence.
In an effort to make the city eligible for a California Energy Commission grant, the City Council voted Tuesday for a $5,700 budget allotment for restoration of about 500 street lights.
The lights were turned off in the summer of 2010 to save the city money.
"Our citizens have really worked hard with us and have put up with darkened streets for too long," said Mayor Bill Harris.
The lights are expected to come back on before early May. The move will allow use of $447,790 in energy commission grant funds to retrofit most of the Marysville's street lights with more efficient and cost-effective LED fixtures.
LED lighting uses about half the energy as conventional light fixtures and last more than five times longer, according to George Musallam, Yuba City's director of public works and utilities. Yuba City also has a program in place to convert its street lights to LED.
A $1.35 million loan from the California Energy Commission will allow roughly 3,500 streetlights owned by Yuba City to be replaced with the new fixtures.
The city will use savings in energy costs to repay the loan over 11 years, Musallam said.
"After that, all the savings will be ours," he said. "It's a really good deal."
Marysville began its LED replacement project in the fall of 2010 with 176 streetlight conversions.
About 1,000 fixtures have yet to be replaced. The project does not include lights on highways 20 and 70, which are managed by Caltrans.
Councilman Dale Whitmore took issue on Tuesday with the $5,700 necessary to restore Marysville's lights prior to conversion.
"Couldn't we just leave the lights off during those two months and save money?" he said.
"I don't see why we should wait," said Councilwoman Christina Billeci, who echoed Harris' point about Marysville residents tolerating dark streets.
The tall white lights that illuminate the mile-long River Walk that hugs the St. Clair River in Marysville will be spruced up this summer.
At the March 26 city council meeting, Councilman Duke Dunn said that he had received a few phone calls from residents inquiring about the condition of the lamps.
"They're rusty," said Department of Public Works Supervisor Barry Kreiner. "It was on my list of things to do last fall, but I couldn't get to it."
Once the DPW's seven summer workers are back in the field, Kreiner plans to have them take a power wheel to the lamp poles, prime them and paint them.
"It's just surface rust, nothing structural," said Kreiner.
Kreiner also mentioned the possibility of upgrading the fixtures.
"Those lights draw a lot of power and cost the city $10,000 last year," Kreiner said. "I talked to the manufacturer and they make a retro-fit for a LED light."
LED is an acronym for light-emitting diode, a semiconductor light source producing electroluminescence.
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