Satellite Beach, Florida, June 30, 2011 – Four U.S. Department of Energy Solar Decathlon 2011 entrants announced today that they will rely on lighting solutions offered by Lighting Science Group, as they prepare to submit their solar home prototypes for final testing and judgment this fall. Grasping that the ultimate Solar Decathlon champion will not only effectively source solar energy, but best blends affordability, consumer appeal, and design excellence with optimal energy production and maximum efficiency in the entirety of its operations, the teams implementing Lighting Science Group’s high performance, ultra-efficient LED bulbs are: Parsons The New School for Design and Stevens Institute of Technology, the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Old Dominion University and Hampton University, and Middlebury College.
“The nature of the U.S. Department of Energy’s Solar Decathlon competition and our partnership with Habitat for Humanity of Washington, D.C. charges the Empowerhouse design team to deliver the right amount of high quality lighting at the best value to a homebuilder and homeowner. It’s reassuring to know that Lighting Science Group is an active participant in the Department of Energy’s Lighting Facts program, and that Lighting Science Group provides a wide range of solid state lighting products for retrofit and new construction. Lighting Science Group products are a natural fit for Empowerhouse,” said the Parsons The New School for Design and Stevens Institute of Technology team.
These findings aren’t isolated—independent tests show that the lumen (light) output of these LED bulbs is unrivaled—outperforming comparable products by 25-30%. In addition, the bulbs are more energy efficient than equivalent CFLs and contain no mercury, are “instant on”, are completely recyclable, and offer outstanding light quality.
Every year an estimated 425 million 60 watt incandescent light bulbs—veritable energy hogs—are sold in the United States alone, representing approximately 40% of the domestic light bulb market. Searching for a better option, the Middlebury College team said, “Lighting Science Group’s LEDs are reasonably priced, provide a wide range of color temperatures, and use very little energy. They fit our mission of affordability, durability, and efficiency. Lighting Science Group makes an excellent LED bulb that is economical over its lifetime. It is a perfect substitute for your average 60 watt incandescent bulb.”
To the Middlebury College team, Lighting Science Group epitomizes choice without compromise: “What most people fear about non-incandescent light bulbs is their color temperature. CFLs have given alternative bulbs a bad name because of the harsh light they produce. The Lighting Science Group bulbs we ordered and tested produce a warm light that is basically indistinguishable from incandescent light.”
From the Solar Decathlon to the International Space Station to the Times Square Ball to other installations in major cities across the world and now in homes, Lighting Science Group’s LED solutions are increasing energy independence and saving consumers, businesses and governments significant amounts of energy and money. Major lighting retailers, lighting companies, retail chains, restaurants, cities like Salt Lake City, UT and Lewiston, ME, military installations such as Naval Base Ventura County, CA, and world renowned architects and builders have all chosen Lighting Science Group to be their lighting technology provider. Why? Because the company’s products produce a better combination of more light at a lower price—with longer life and better lighting quality—than other LED products on the market.
Summarizing the sentiments of the four teams using Lighting Science Group products at Solar Decathlon 2011, the University of Illinois team stated: “Lighting Science Group recognizes the importance of expression through light and has embraced a leadership role in new technology to explore possibilities.”
“At Lighting Science Group, we’ll continue to push the boundaries of lighting science innovation and performance so our customers—and our sponsored Solar Decathlon teams—can build brighter futures for themselves and our country with our long-lasting, high output, environmentally responsible, and sustainable LED lighting products,” added Jim Haworth, chairman and chief executive officer of Lighting Science Group.
For more information on Lighting Science Group’s LED products, visit www.lsgc.com.
