Martinsville Speedway Announces LED Lighting Project

Martinsville Speedway remained one of the few tracks on the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series schedule without permanently installed track lighting. That all changed on Wednesday afternoon.

The historic Martinsville Speedway is set to install lights. Martinsville track President Clay Campbell, Dale Earnhardt Jr., and Bill Mansfield from Graybar (company installing the lights) announced plans on Tuesday. The lighting project will cost five million dollars and the expected completion date is the end of 2016.

Track lighting will be implemented for “insurance” purposes after last year’s Goody’s Headache Relief Shot 500. 18 cautions and threat of rain almost stopped the event short due to darkness. While the race was completed in it’s entirety, Jeff Gordon’s victory lane celebration took place under spotlights.

Martinsville is the first track to install LED lighting which is energy efficient and can be turned on instantly. LED lights will make the race look better both on TV and in person.  Earnhardt Jr. added, “I think it’s great for the racetrack and it certainly opens up a ton of possibilities for the future of the track itself.”

Fans have been asking about a night race at Martinsville Speedway for many years. However, NASCAR’s start times in 2017 are already locked in. Campbell said talk of anything beyond 2017 would only be speculation.

While a night race at Martinsville would be great, there’s something traditional about short track racing on a Sunday afternoon. Martinsville Speedway is the poster child for tradition. On the other hand a night race at Martinsville could bring a whole new sense of excitement to the track.

The Sprint Cup Series will visit Martinsville Speedway again on October 30th. This race will kick off the Round of Eight in the 2016 Chase for the Sprint Cup.

Written by: Aaron Hale

Original Article: http://beyondtheflag.com/2016/10/13/martinsville-speedway-announces-lighting-project/

Rubik from Acuity Brands company, Mark Architectural Lighting

This is very cool and a must see for LightFair 2016.

EYE Lighting Retrofit Challenge Demonstration

Get a hands-on demonstration on how easy it is to take out the old HID light source and put in a LEDioc Retrofit. Stop by LIGHTFAIR Booth 2137 to take the Retrofit Challenge.

Foreverlamp™ introduces the Industry’s First LED Plug-N-Play Replacement Lamp for 1000W MH applications.

Foreverlamp™, an innovator in retrofit lamp design, will introduce the industry’s first 1000W plug-n-play replacement lamp for Metal Halide lamps during LIGHTFAIR® International.  The powerful LED lamp delivers up to 42,000 lumens at 400 watts providing the most powerful replacement lamp lumen package available in the industry today. The new 1000W lamp will save 600 watts per socket over MH providing an eco-friendly alternative to MH with the simple screw in replacement of a light bulb.  

The Foreverlamp Series of plug-n-play bulbs features a patented cooling system and innovative design that allows for a quick and easy plug-n-play installation.   Each lamp is designed to work with the existing magnetic ballast and sockets and doesn’t require any re-wiring, reconfiguration and/ or contractors to install.  Installation simply involves, unscrewing the existing Metal Halide lamp and replacing it with a Foreverlamp.

Known for “Big Lumen Lighting”, the Los Angeles-based manufacturer has an advanced 1000W retrofit LED solution to replace 750W and 1000W Metal Halide lamps providing up to 42,000 lumens. The new 1000W lamp offers the highest lumen package and delivers 42,000 lumens with a CRI of 83 in 5000K. Foreverlamp is the only manufacturer that offers both 1000W and 400W MH plug-n-play replacement lamp solutions. Compatible with 400W through 175W pulse and probe start ballasts, the Foreverlamp Retrofit Series consists of two different lamp sizes and versatile lumen outputs from 18,000 to 27,000.  The GS Series comes standard as a bi-directional uplight / downlight for high output applications with a versatile range of 9,900 lumens to 24,000 lumens. The PS Series delivers a smaller, yet powerful form factor with up to 21,000 lumen outputs and available in both standard and high output.  The entire Foreverlamp Retrofit Series including the new 1000W lamp is designed for use with any open fixture. Lamp life is expected to exceed 50,000 hours and comes with a standard 5 year warranty.

Foreverlamp products are key to creating efficiencies in sustainable warehouse, retail, recreational and commercial operations. These advanced LED lighting solutions enable customers to re-use their existing lighting fixtures in an eco-friendly manner by simply replacing a light bulb. Utilizing Foreverlamp products as a retrofit lamp solution can help companies significantly reduce operating costs, positively impacting employee productivity, and aide in reaching sustainability goals.  For a complete listing of Foreverlamp products, visit www.foreverlamp.com.

Foreverlamp™ 1000W Product Features include:

• Industry’s First 1000W Direct Replacement LED lamp
• 42,000 lumens
• 400 watts
• 5000K, +83 CRI
• Instant On / Off
• Dimmable with LED driver
• Saves 600 Watts Per Socket
• Works with existing magnetic probe and pulse start ballasts
• Replaces traditional Metal Halide Lamps for 1000W and 750W
• Patented cooling and innovative design
• Features Direct-Fit EZ Install® technology
• UL Recognized. LM 79 & LM 80 Reports available
• 50,000 hours
• 5-year unconditional warranty

Foreverlamp will be exhibiting at LIGHTFAIR® International in Booth # 7311. For additional information, visit www.Foreverlamp.com.

What You Should Know About UL Certified Retrofit Kits

UL Publishes a Paper on What You Should Know about UL Lighting Retrofit Kits

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Does retrofitting a luminaire ‘void’ its UL Listing? 
Retrofitting an installed luminaire does not impact the original Listing. The UL Listing Mark is applied by the luminaire manufacturer (OEM) at the factory. It is the manufacturer’s attestation that the product met the appropriate UL Standard when it was shipped. The UL Certification Mark on the Retrofit Kit indicates that the kit (including its components and the accompanying installation instructions) have been evaluated by UL for use with the identified luminaires. It also indicates that when the kit is installed in accordance with its markings and instructions, the converted luminaire complies with UL 1598, the UL standard for luminaires.

2. Is a UL Field Evaluation required for retrofitting? 
If a UL Certified Retrofit Kit is installed in strict adherence with its installation instructions, then a Field Evaluation should not be required on the modified luminaire.

3. Does the local authority having jurisdiction (AHJ) need to be notified when a luminaire is retrofitted?
Jurisdictions typically require permits and AHJ approval when retrofitting installed luminaires. Since regulations vary by jurisdiction you should check with your local AHJ regarding the regulations in your area.

4. Is it acceptable for installers to build their own retrofit kit using “off the shelf” pieces and parts? 
The 2014 NEC, Section 410.6 requires luminaire retrofit kits to be Listed. UL Certified Retrofit Kits include parts and instructions that have been verified to confirm that the modified luminaire would comply with the UL standard for luminaires (UL 1598) - when installed in according to instructions. If an installer or contractor decides to modify a luminaire using off-the-shelf pieces and parts instead of using a UL Certified Retrofit Kit, then the modified luminaire would be no different than any other field-modified electrical equipment, and its compliance with applicable Codes and standards would need to be determined either by UL via a Field Evaluation or by an AHJ in accordance with local regulations.

5. Where do I find UL Certified Retrofit Kits? 
Suppliers of UL certified Retrofit Kits can be found at www.UL.com/ database by searching under the UL category code “IFAR”. UL also offers an on-line database, which can be searched parametrically to find UL Certified Retrofit Kits that meet specific applications. Go to http://iq.ul.com/ssl/ choose “LED retrofit kits” from the drop-down menu and simply select the parameters that you need. The database will do the rest!

6. Is permission from the original luminaire manufacturer required to retrofit their product? 
Installed luminaires are the responsibility of the owner. The owner makes the decision regarding retrofitting and should consider suitability of the proposed UL Certified Retrofit Kit(s)for the target luminaires as well as installer qualifications necessary to meet the local code requirements. However, retrofitting a luminaire without explicit permission from the luminaire manufacturer could eliminate any remaining warranty coverage.

7. What qualifications are required for someone to retrofit a luminaire? 
Jurisdictions vary in their adopted requirements regarding qualifications necessary for modifying installed equipment. Some areas may require licensed electricians and some allow other means of qualifying retrofit installers. Contact your local AHJ or planning department to determine the qualifications necessary in your area.

8. Can a retrofit kit be made by a manufacturer other than the original luminaire manufacturer? 
UL certified Retrofit Kits can be made by any company. Some luminaire manufacturers may make retrofit kits specific for their luminaires. The kit’s installation instructions identify the type of luminaire for which the kit is intended and should always be consulted prior to any retrofit decision to determine suitability.

9. Are retrofit kits for specific luminaires or are they generic? 
Retrofit kit manufacturers can certify their products for either specific luminaire models or for generic types of luminaires that meet the specific mechanical and electrical criteria identified in the kit’s installation instructions. This criteria typically includes the original luminaire’s minimum or maximum dimensions, the luminaire’s shape or configuration (i.e.: troffer, high hat, etc.) and any specific physical features that are required for proper fit. When kits are certified for specific luminaire models, their installation instructions will include the luminaire model numbers.

10. What is included in a retrofit kit? 
Certified retrofit kits always contain a set of detailed Installation instructions which identify the type of luminaires(s) for which the kit is suitable, major kit components, preparation steps (including drawings and/ or figures) and wiring instructions. Kits include the major components such as the LED Driver or Power Supply, LED Modules and mounting means. Kits might also include adhesives, connectors, lampholders, and wire, although these common components may instead be called out in the installation instructions as installer supplied parts.

11. Where is the retrofit kit certification mark? 
The UL Certification Mark is required to be located on a kit component in a manner such that it will be visible during servicing after the kit’s installation. Typically this is on the LED light source (lamp) or its driver.

12. Why are both a UL Recognized Mark and a Classification Mark on the power supply? 
Most components used in retrofit kits are required to be separately evaluated and will bear the UL Recognition Mark or the UL Listing Mark. As such one major component of the kit (the LED driver or the LED lamp) will include an additional UL Certification Mark related to the retrofit kit.

13. Can I retrofit refrigerated display cases? 
The requirements for refrigerated display cases are somewhat different than those for luminaires. UL evaluates LED retrofit kits specifically for commercial refrigerators and freezers under category code IFAS. This helps to ensure that the modified equipment will continue to comply with UL 471, the UL Standard for Commercial Refrigerators and Freezers.

14. Can I retrofit Signs? 
There are also separate requirements for retrofit kits intended for field installation into UL certified signs. UL evaluates such kits under category code UYWU to ensure the converted sign continues to comply with UL 48, the UL Standard for Electric Signs.

15. How do I get UL certification to make retrofit kits? 
Contact UL at LightingInfo@UL.com.

16. Who can I contact if I see retrofit kits or products being misused in the marketplace or in the field? Report safety related concerns about UL products to our Market Surveillance team by filing a Product Incident Report. To file a report go to www.UL.com/ahjreport.

UL and the UL logo are trademarks of UL LLC © 2016
Original Paper: http://industries.ul.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2013/09/Certified-Retrofit-Kits-What-you-should-know1.pdf

Simon And Acuity Brands Pilot Lighting-Based Parking Technology At Lenox Square And Florida Mall

INDIANAPOLIS, Feb. 23, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Simon announced today that it is conducting a pilot program in conjunction with Acuity Brands that will employ outdoor LED lighting systems to monitor parking lot vehicle counts and occupancy data to facilitate the efficient management of traffic and parking. The pilot will be conducted at Lenox Square in Atlanta, GA and Florida Mall inOrlando, FL.

Parking lot density will be monitored via existing Acuity Brands lighting fixtures installed throughout the two malls. Sensors will be added to the fixtures and will transmit occupancy data to an online dashboard, creating heat maps for visualizing parking density and highlighting locations where there is parking availability.

"This pilot will provide an opportunity to test an enhanced system for our parking areas, allowing us to easily and quickly identify congested areas and redirect customers to available parking," saidTim Earnest, Executive Vice President, Simon Management Group. "This is one of the many ways we are looking at how to improve the experience of our customers by providing amenities that make shopping even more convenient and enjoyable."

The pilot will continue through spring of 2016. The second phase of the pilot will focus on using the occupancy data to create a consumer-facing parking app with the potential of rolling it out to select centers by the end of 2016.

Simon has installed Acuity Brands' LED lighting systems at more than 26 locations. These lighting systems provide enhanced light levels and quality while delivering energy savings.

"Simon Property Group is leading the industry in terms of leveraging Acuity Brands technology to deliver on multiple fronts," said Lance Hollner, Vice President - Business Development, IoT Solutions, Acuity Brands Lighting. "We look forward to creating a parking and traffic management solution for initial use by Simon, and with broad appeal to other smart parking applications within retail, campus or city applications."

Source: Simon

QUBE COLOR-CHANGING SMART BULB

Each bulb will put out 1,000 lumens at max brightness, well above the 800 lumens you’d expect from a 60W replacement LED, from a stated power draw of 11.5 watts. Qube promises iOS, Android, and Windows compatibility along with support for the Apple Watch. Compatibility with Apple HomeKit, the set of smart home protocols programmed into Apple’s mobile devices, is also a possibility — Qube says it’s already applied for MFi certification. If it happens, that would allow you to turn your lights on and off, dim them up and down, or change their color simply by asking Siri. Also interesting: the bulb features Bluetooth in addition to the 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi radio. Qube estimates that it’ll begin shipping bulbs out worldwide this June. Projected price is $19 per bulb.
See original article at Energy Watch News: http://energywatchnews.com/qube-color-changing-smart-bulb-just-19-per-bulb/

GE In Love With LED, Breaks Up With CFL's

GE is breaking up with compact fluorescent lamps.
This year, GE will cease production of its coiled compact fluorescent lamps (CFLs) for the  U.S. market and instead focus its consumer lighting efforts on LED lamps. Few people will mourn the end of the CFL era. Introduced in the mid-1980s, CFLs enjoyed a spurt of popularity after Oprah Winfrey endorsed them in 2007. The bulbs briefly accounted for about 30 percent of U.S. light bulb sales. But the bulbs, which heat gas rather than a filament, were never really beloved, and last year accounted for just 15 percent of sales. Consumers complained CFL light was too harsh, didn’t work with dimmers, flickered and took too long to warm up and light a room.GE is breaking up with compact fluorescent lamps.

But the bulbs served an important purpose. Starting in 2012, U.S. regulations demanded that incandescent light bulbs – the kind that Edison invented – needed to use 30 percent less energy to meet minimum efficiency standards. That ruling instantly made incandescent lights almost obsolete.

Read the full article from GE here: http://www.gereports.com/say-goodbye-say-hello-ge-stops-making-cfls-says-go-go-go-to-leds/ 

Why is Apple starting to patent light fittings?

The newly-opened Apple store in Brussels has given the world the first glimpse of the company's new - and newly patented - lighting system Picture: Julian Vanbelle

Apple has been granted a patent for the ceiling lighting system it has developed for its new-look stores in a move that has again raised the issue of the company’s intentions in the lighting market.

The US Patent and Trademark Office has granted Apple US Patent No. 9,217,247 for its new illuminated ceilings, which will be the showpiece feature of its next-generation stores. One of the first in the world to sport the new look is the company’s outlet in Brussels. The fully-illuminated LED ceiling is interspersed with narrow linear lighting troughs which include spotlights and other services, a design that is not wholly unfamiliar to lighting professionals working in the retail sector.

Apple’s retail team believes uniform lighting offers the best way to showcase its technology products. The troughs can accommodate cameras, speakers, alarms, fire suppression systems and, it’s speculated, the company’s iBeacon Bluetooth transmitters, which would allow customer tracking, in-store location, payments and marketing push notifications.

While it’s not unusual for Apple to patent innovations outside its core computer technologies – after all, the stores’ famous glass staircases are protected by copyright law – the patenting of a luminaire design raises fears in the lighting industry that Apple has long-term ambitions for the sector.

It’s known that the company has a lighting research team for instance, and lighting control firms are fearful of being disintermediated in a world dominated by the so-called ‘Internet of Things’, where connected IP-enabled devices such as luminaires and lamps can be controlled by smart phones, smart watches and tablets.

Original Articel Luxreview.com:  http://luxreview.com/article/2016/01/why-is-apple-starting-to-patent-light-fittings-

LED lighting market growth to shrink in next five years?

By Srabani Sen, BizLED Bureau

Nov 30, 2015: LED lighting has become quite popular worldover, yet industry experts speculate itsgrowth to shrink in the next five years. Most of the countries have realized its benefits and are taking several initiatives to make it a household name. However, to make it a mass movement, industry experts feel that the prices of LED lighting products should come down even more. Governments are, therefore, making appeals to the manufacturers to cut down production prices to bring down the prices of LED lighting products and make it more affordable.

According to an industry estimate, the global LED lighting market will reach US$25.7 billion in 2015 and further expand to US$30.5 billion in 2016. The penetration rate of LED lighting will increase by 31% in 2015, which will increase to 36% in 2016.

READ ALSO: Vietnam is becoming a potential LED lighting market

Although high demands for LED lighting spurred the volume of its usage and increased the growth of the market in 2015, which will continue in 2016 as well, industry experts fear that the high priced LEDs and the neck deep competition in the global LED lighting market will see its growth shrink in the next five years. Ironically, the increasingly energy efficient LEDs will see a dip in its usage volume in the next five years if the prices do not dip further. As a result, manufacturers are under immense pressure to further lower the prices of LEDs. Research firms project that in the next five years, the LED industry’s compound annual growth rate (CAGR) will not increase by more than 10%.

Less scope for further price cuts

The demand for LED lighting fell short of expectations in 2015 because during the second half of 2015, LED chip and LED package prices dipped sharply, leading to losses incurred by many manufacturers. Manufacturers are immensely under pressure to lower the prices of LED production to bring down the prices further. However, LED market analysts point out that in the long run, there will be limited scope for further price cuts. Manufacturers would, therefore, need to look for other cost reducing solutions. Besides lowering LED chip prices, manufacturers would require to evaluate cutting down prices of components like LED drivers, and that of designing the products and the components.

READ ALSO: India’s LED lighting market to grow at 32.15% in the next six years

Manufacturers across the globe are also demanding that their governments should follow China’s LED policy, which provides high rate of subsidies to the LED manufacturers leading them to cut prices of LED productions. With the support of the Chinese government, the local LED industry has become the world’s largest LED lighting manufacturing hub.

In 2015, manufacturers were also hit by currency fluctuations. As a result, demands for LED lightingproducts in different countries have been much lower than expected. To add to this woe, LED pricescontinued to slide in 2015. Consequently, many small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in the LED industryhave been faced with financial losses, and were faced with negative cash flow. Industry analysts believe that if this trend continues many smaller manufacturers will be ousted from the LED industry. They also predict that the next bankruptcy wave in the LED industry will be most evident before the Chinese Lunar New Year.

LED lighting manufacturers have also started shifting their focus to professional lighting markets with tremendous growth potentials like commercial lighting, industrial lighting, architectural lighting, and automotive lighting. They have pinned their hope on the increase in government spending, especially in new public projects. They believe that new government projects will create new opportunities and help in faster penetration of LED lighting.

Original Article at Biz LED Magazine: http://bizled.co.in/led-lighting-market-growth-to-shrink-in-next-five-years/

More transparent and brighter LEDs soon

By BizLED Bureau

Nov 30, 2015: Researchers from University of California-Berkeley have discovered a simple way to make monolayer semiconductors, which are less than a nanometre thick, yet more efficient and defect free. This discovery will open the door to more applications of monolayer materials, such as MoS2, in devices like LEDs and high-performance transistors.

Monolayer semiconductors have become much talked about thing as they could be quite useful in the development of transparent LED displays, ultra-high efficiency solar cells, photo detectors and nano-scale transistors. But the films are riddled with defects, killing their performance. However, these researchers found a simple way to fix these defects through the use of an organic superacid.

The chemical treatment gives 100-fold increase in the material’s photoluminescence quantum yield–a ratio that describes the amount of light generated by the material versus the amount of energy put in. The greater the emission of light, the higher the quantum yield and the better the material quality.
Researchers enhanced the quantum yield for molybdenum disulfide, or MoS2, from less than 1% up to 100% by dipping the material into a superacid called bistriflimide, or TFSI.

This treatment also has revolutionary potential for transistors. When devices in computer chips get smaller and thinner, defects play a bigger role in limiting their performance.

Original Article at Biz LED Magazine: http://bizled.co.in/more-transparent-and-brighter-leds-soon/

Japan energy-efficiency plan to switch off all light bulbs, fluorescent tubes

The government plans to phase out all incandescent light bulbs and fluorescent tubes by fiscal 2020 and light up the nation with highly energy-efficient light-emitting diodes (LED), according to sources.

The policy was conceived ahead of the 21st Conference of the Parties to the U.N. Framework Convention on Climate Change scheduled for the end of the month in Paris.

Replacing the light bulbs would reduce the amount of greenhouse gas emissions in Japan and promote the government’s efforts to develop a greener nation.

But the policy could also put a strain on households and businesses by depriving them of the option of buying inexpensive light sources.

A rapid shift to LED light sources is expected to occur when light bulbs and fluorescent tubes are no longer imported and domestic stocks run dry. That situation could lead to a reduction of costs amid increased demand.

The government has been controlling fluorescent tubes and LED lamps under the “top-runner system,” a policy that restricts production and imports of new merchandise unless it performs better than the most energy-efficient example in the same product category.

Incandescent light bulbs, fluorescent tubes and LED lamps currently have their own categories. But the three will be combined into a singular lamp category under an energy efficiency action plan expected to be established around summer 2016.

That move would effectively take light bulbs and fluorescent tubes out of the game because LED lamps are far more energy efficient than the two traditional light sources.

The government plans to make these changes through revisions of the Rational Use of Energy Law, commonly known as the energy conservation law.

(This article was written by Shinya Takagi and Keiko Nannichi.)

Original Article on Asahi Shimbun:  http://ajw.asahi.com/article/behind_news/social_affairs/AJ201511260040

Target's IoT trial expands to 100 stores

There's more cookies than meet the eye in Target these days: Indoor LED ceiling lights that can 'spy' on customers and send promotional messages to their smartphones - such as those that Target is trialling - could turn brick-and-mortar shopping into an online-like experience. Cookies and pop-ups can follow you, even in the physical world.  Photo is from Rob Wilson via Shutterstock

American retail giant Target has revealed that 100 of its stores are now deploying LED ceiling lights to track in-shop customers and guide them to relevant products via their smartphones, a nascent practice which could become the biggest thing in brick-and-mortar retail technology since the barcode. 

The $73 billion chain told Lux that the scheme uses wireless signals that travel between LED lights and shoppers' Android gadgets. The 100 locations mark the largest known deployment of 'spy lights' by any retailer, and could spur broader uptake.

Read full article at LUX Review.com: http://luxreview.com/article/2015/11/target-s-spy-lights-trial-expands-to-100-stores

Osram Investor Against New Investment in LED Chips

News Source:

Reuters

Following Osram’s announcement last week that the company is to invest EUR 1 billion in a new Malaysia-based plant for LED chips, a leading investor in Osram expressed opposing opinions about Osram’s latest strategy, reported Reuters.

Michael Muders, fund manager at Union Investment, Osram’s fifth- largest shareholder with nearly two percent of the company’s share, stated that the new strategy caused disappointment among shareholders and increased their distrust of Osram’s management team.

Investors hope the company would invest in profitable niches, including automobile and streetlight products rather than focusing on the production of LED chips for lights in Malaysia.

Osram has restructured in order to compete with Asian manufacturers.  

Osram’s share dropped by a quarter after the company released its latest plan last Wednesday. And it barely recovered on the day.

According to Muders, the strategy is very unlikely to be altered and he would take disapproval stance from Osram’s boards at the next shareholder meeting if the company’s strategy remained unchanged.

Original Article on LED Inside:  http://www.ledinside.com/news/2015/11/osram_investor_against_new_investment_in_led_chips

New technology makes cost of LEDs production cheaper

By BizLED Bureau

Nov 19, 2015: A group of industrial and manufacturing engineers has worked on a new solution to bring down the cost of production of LEDs. The finding could help increase the adoption of LED lighting solutions in homes and factories, thus lowering energy usage and preserving the environment. The new technology uses both inorganic and organic materials that can be applied like paint. Traditional methods require about four to five layers of the material for making of the product whereas this technology reduces the quantity of layers to only one.

The development results into lower expense for manufacturing LEDs. Till now the expense of LEDs has been the biggest deterrent in the broad reception of the LEDs. But the new material could help lower production costs because manufacturers would not have to deal with multiple layers of LED materials. As a result, LED lighting would be more affordable.

The use of LEDs is being preferred everywhere throughout the world. LED lighting is used for external as
well as internal application. It has been observed that the residential lighting that uses LED technology
brings down the energy utilization by about 75%.

To see original article by BizLED Bureau click here: http://bizled.co.in/new-technology-makes-cost-of-leds-production-cheaper/

LEDinside：LED Lighting Market to Reach US$30.5 Billion in 2016 and Professional Lighting Markets to See Explosive Growth

The scale of the LED lighting market is growing steadily, according to 2016 Global LED Lighting Market Trends Report by LEDinside, a division of TrendForce. LEDinside estimates that the scale of the LED lighting market will reach US$25.7 billion in 2015 and expand to US$30.5 billion in 2016. The penetration rate of LED lighting is also projected to climb from 31% in 2015 to 36% in 2016.

 

Joanne Wu, LEDinside assistant research manager, stated that sharp price declines have severely impacted the margins of replacement products such as LED light bulbs and light tubes. Consequently, lighting companies begin to shift their focus to professional lighting markets and hope that increases in government spending, especially in new public projects, will create new opportunities. Sectors with tremendous growth potentials include industrial lighting, commercial lighting and architectural lighting.

See full article at LEDinside: http://www.ledinside.com/node/view/24054

The inventor of Philips Hue is concerned by ‘crap’ smart lighting rivals

Philips Hue launched in October 2012, "marking a new era in home lighting" according to its makers. Back then, it was almost impossible to dispute its claim of being "the world's smartest bulb".

Fast forward three years and Philip's is still, without doubt, leading the way in LED smart lighting. That said, there is an ever-growing army of rivals to its crown. The likes of Misfit, Belkin, MiPow, Sony and LIFX all have Wi-Fi connected lighting in their armoury and, with smart home systems such asBrillo and HomeKit making it easier than ever to connect traditional household items to the net, the pressure is well and truly on.

See the full story at Wareable.com: http://www.wareable.com/meet-the-boss/this-little-light-of-mine-63538

Fast Track Training: Evolve LED Scalable Area Light | GE Lighting

Meet the GE Evolve LED Scalable Area Light. The EAS is scalable because of its many available optical packages, from a 5000 lumen fixture to a 38,000 lumen fixture, with increments of about 2000 to 3000 lumens in between. The Evolve EAS Scalable Area Light comes with dimming functionality, occupancy controllers and daylight harvesting sensors.

Ephesus Lighting and Controls Demo in a Hockey Arena

Ephesus Lighting and Controls demo. Arena lighting. Lighting effects.

Toshiba Kisses Goodbye to White LED Business

Toshiba confirmed in a company statement on Wednesday that it will be withdrawing from white LED production by late March 2016, according to reports from Nikkei and other Japanese media.

Credit: LEDInside http://www.ledinside.com/news/2015/10/toshiba_kisses_goodbye_to_white_led_business