N.S. premier defends proposal to legislate LED roadway lighting across province

Criticism over proposed legislation to make the use of LED roadway lighting mandatory in Nova Scotia had the premier on the defensive. Darrell Dexter took issue with reported comments by Port Hawkesbury Mayor Billy Joe MacLean, who said the proposed $100-million plan came out of the blue. MacLean, who is also president of the Nova Scotia Union of Municipalities, said that it remained unclear how much it would cost municipalities to pay for the switch.

For Philips, LED is the way to go

Last month, Philips announced its entry into LED (light emitting diodes)-based solar-powered lighting solutions. Developed by its R&D facility in Noida, the initiative was a part of the Dutch firm’s move to offer customers simplified solutions. Philips, the market leader in lighting products, also showed a sneak preview of a portable solar-powered LED rechargeable light. The product, currently under development, would hit the market soon.

Scientists figure out why LED is impractical for general lighting purposes

Their work will help engineers develop a new generation of high-performance, energy-efficient lighting that could replace incandescent and fluorescent bulbs. Scientists at the University of California, Santa Barbara, say that they have figured out what makes light-emitting diodes (LEDs) impractical for general lighting purposes. Chris Van de Walle, a professor in the Materials Department at UC Santa Barbara headed the research group that carried out the work.

LED vs. incandescent: An Easter-time 'meltdown'

One of the things that amazes me most about the ordinary incandescent light bulb is that in addition to its superb ability to drive up household electric bills (when compared to more efficient CFLs and LEDs), is how much heat one actually gives off. I mean, seriously, you can bake a tray of moist and delicious brownies with a single 100-watter! To further demonstrate that a whopping 90 percent of the energy emitted by a standard incandescent light bulb is heat and not light, the folks at Cree are sacrificing a poor, unsuspecting chocolate Easter bunny.

American Lighting Expands Product Line

American Lighting announced three new high performance additions to its LED Wall Washer product family - the Linear LED RGB Wall Washer, the Linear Warm White LED Wall Washer and the Warm White LED Wall Washer. Used for architectural, façade and event lighting the LED lighting solutions provide warm white and colorful illuminations while cutting energy bills and maintenance costs.
“The latest additions to our LED wall washer product line provide vibrant and energy efficient solutions for all types of architectural structures while eliminating many ongoing maintenance issues,” said David Wilkins, CEO of American Lighting. “We’ve had great success with our LED wall washer line including installations at Invesco Field at Mile High and the Denver City and County Building to name a few, and are pleased to introduce the new Linear LED RGB Wall Washers, the LED Linear Warm White Wall Washers and the Warm White LED Wall Washers. Our new line of LED wall washer products provide customers with a broader range of lighting options, giving them increased flexibility and the ability to light hard to reach areas. This not only helps to achieve better lighting coverage but enhances existing implementations.”

LEDs drive revenue growth at Philips Lighting

Packaged LEDs and solid-state lighting products are proving to be a strong revenue driver at Royal Philips Electronics, pushing the giant company’s lighting business back onto a solid growth curve in the first quarter of the year. Philips reported that, overall, its first quarter sales of €5.26 billion ($7.48 billion) were up 6% on the same period last year, with its lighting division contributing €1.90 billion to that total after rising by a similar amount. The company was keen to highlight the spin-off of its television business into a joint venture in its latest investor call - something that Philips has been working on for several quarters. But over the past 12 months, sales of packaged LEDs have been an impressive source of revenue growth. Philips said that LED components accounted for 7% of its lighting division’s total revenues of €7.6 billion over that period - equivalent to about €530 million.

LED Task Light Enhances Visual Performance

SpaceCo Business Solutions, Inc. has introduced the Wave Light, an LED task light designed to overcome the disadvantages of traditional LED fixtures and provide the best visual performance in the task lighting market by illuminating the desired work area only.
With its patent pending photocell technology integrated into the head of the light, Wave Light will be able to detect the light conditions and automatically adjust the power settings according to the current environment. The result is a more balanced light field as well as reduced energy costs and less eyestrain on the individual while performing their task.
Ergonomically adjustable, Wave Light effectively minimizes shadows and eliminates glare to provide enhanced visual comfort for higher productivity. With its patented refractive lens technology, Wave Light eliminates the shortcomings of other LED lights, is LEED credit eligible and has a projected life in excess of 50,000 hours.

How to interpret LED lamp data

LED lamps are now rapidly replacing conventional incandescent lamps and compact fluorescent lamps (CFLs) in domestic and commercial lighting. Understanding the data that is presented with respect to lamp performance and operating life is the key to making informed product choices. Data on LED lamps is to be found on their packaging, or in data sheets. Some of the information is based on verifiable facts but some marketing claims may not be based on sound engineering principles. A number of major global brands are now competing for a share of the general LED lighting market. Prices are falling as the technology matures, manufacturing process become more refined and the economics of high volume manufacturing and supply chain management come into play.

SemiLEDs Punished By Downgrade

SemiLEDs (LEDS), the maker of LED chips and components, is suffering at the hands of an analyst downgrade, plunging by 5% after Canaccord pared its rating on the stock to “hold” from “buy,” citing a lack of visibility, increased competition and oversupply of LED chips on a global basis. The research firm also lowered its price target on SemiLEDs to $11 from $15. That’s barely above where the shares currently trade.

Affordable LED Table Lamps

As LED lighting becomes more affordable, more accessible and higher quality, consumers are making a huge impact on the LED market by beginning the process of converting their homes. This renovation to energy-efficient LEDs is responsible for the anticipated growth of the LED market - expected to double by 2014.
LED Table lamps and LED Desk lamps are an ideal way to begin the process of converting to LEDs. Lightology offers a vast array of award-winning, classic and modern table lamps that fit perfectly with other contemporary lighting or design styles.
Koncept offers an array of extremely popular LED desk lamps, like the I-Bar Mini and the Z-Bar, that fold away or extend for high-power LED brightness with four-step dimming. The Equo recently earned a 'Best in Class' award from Next Generation Luminaires, an LED competition sponsored by the Department of Energy. The Equo earned this recognition for its touch-sensitive control strip that turns the lamp on and off and dims with a gentle sliding motion. It was also noted for its nice shape, cool design and great value.
One of the most popular debuts in modern lighting this year was the Kelvin LED from Flos. Designed by Antonio Citterio, the fixture has a on/off touch sensor, 365° adjustable arm and 355° adjustable head. It consumes a mere 8 watts, is made entirely of recycled materials and non-toxic paint and has a soft, warm white light that, until recently, has been difficult to achieve with LED light sources.
The Link Table Lamp from Pablo adds a bit of whimsy and fun to Lightology's LED Table Lamp selection - coming in a variety of hues like green, orange, white, silver, grey and black and can be matched with the coordinating Link Clamp-On, Link Wall Mount and Link Floor Lamp versions.
Some iconic fixtures, like Tolomeo from Artemide and Berenice from Luce Plan are now available in LED for a contemporary lighting touch that will never go out of style. See our full selection of LED Table Lamps or browse our website to experience all the contemporary lighting solutions we offer - including chandeliers, bathroom lighting, wall sconces, ceiling fans, outdoor lighting and pendants.

Cree, Osram Sign Agreement to Speed Adoption of LED Lighting

Cree, Inc. and Osram GmbH announced the signing of a comprehensive, worldwide patent cross-license agreement in an effort to speed the adoption of LED technology. The cross-license agreement covers patents from both parties in the fields of blue LED chip technology, white LEDs and phosphors, packaging, LED luminaires and lamps, and LED lighting control systems.

Mercury in new light bulbs not being recycled, escaping to environment

The nation's accelerating shift from incandescent bulbs to a new generation of energy-efficient lighting is raising an environmental concern -- the release of tons of mercury every year. The most popular new light -- the curly cue, compact fluorescent light bulbs, or CFLs -- account for a quarter of new bulb sales and each contains up to 5 milligrams of mercury, a potent neurotoxin that's on the worst-offending list of environmental contaminants. Demand for the bulbs is growing as federal and state mandates for energy-efficient lighting take effect, yet only about 2 percent of residential consumers and one-third of businesses recycle them, according to the Association of Lighting and Mercury Recyclers.

Civic body stresses use of LEDs to save energy

The Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) is in the process of implementing a new 'Advertisement policy' to curb the number of illegal hoardings and avoid wastage of electricity consumed by the 3,439-odd neon sign boards and hoardings erected across the city. Ramesh Shelar, head of the sky signs department said that the new policy clear states that advertisers must now use LEDs (Light Emitting Diodes) in the neon sign boards to reduce the amount of energy consumption.

Finelite Introduces New Energy-Efficient LED Desk Lamp

Finelite announces the second in a series of energy-efficient LED desk lamps – the Reach. The ENERGY STAR qualified desk lamp is available now for anyone who wants more light for less cost. Following in the footprints of first-generation lamp Curve, Reach offers the same award-winning technology but with an added twist – an adjustable arm lets you fine-tune your light with ease. Anyone with a workspace – commercial or residential - will love the flexibility to light your entire task area with a single desk lamp.
Like light bulbs, LEDs generate heat. Reach solves this thermal management problem with internal heat transfer pads and a head designed to radiate heat away from vital internal components, so you get enhanced light output and a long-term product life. Plus, there are two stylish head designs to choose from: Viper has a triangular geometric shape, while Velo offers you a smooth, curved look. Whatever you choose, your Reach lamp will make a contemporary statement in any office.