News Updates for the Week of April 8

1.      Earth Day 2013 - On April 22, 2013, more than one billion people around the world will take part in the 43rd anniversary of Earth Day. From Beijing to Cairo, Melbourne to London, Rio to Johannesburg, New Delhi to New York, communities everywhere will voice their concerns for the planet, and take action to protect it. The choice is yours…http://www.earthday.org/2013/about.html

2.      California Lighting Technology Center Seminar & Luncheon Wednesday, April 17, 10 am – 2 pm Celebrating the launch of WattStopper's LMLS-600 Dual-Loop Photosensor—the first commercial product to combine open-loop and closed-loop photosensor control strategies and the newest component in WattStopper's Digital Lighting Management (DLM) system. The dual-loop approach is the result of extensive R&D efforts at CLTC, and it is widely regarded as a pivotal innovation in daylight harvesting and efficient building design. https://cc.readytalk.com/cc/s/registrations/new?cid=bjmexqjzl4b6

3.      DOE Publishes Exploratory CALiPER Study on Commercial Ambient LED Lighting - The U.S. DOE has released an exploratory CALiPER study on the problems and benefits likely to be encountered as LED products intended to replace linear fluorescent lamps become increasingly popular. Eighteen lighting designers and facility engineers compared 24 identical pairs of troffers in a simulated office space. Three of those pairs involved fluorescent benchmark troffers, and the rest were LED products. The products were evaluated for photometric distribution, uniformity of light on the task surface, and suitability of the light output for the task, as well as flicker, dimming performance, color quality, power quality, safety and certification issues, ease of installation, energy efficiency, and life-cycle cost. Bottom line: LED dedicated troffers can compete with (and beat) fluorescents in terms of efficacy. For a copy of the full report: www.ssl.energy.gov/exploratory.html

4.      Illuminating The Big Picture: LEDs by Craig DiLouie - In the April 2012 issue of ELECTRICAL CONTRACTOR, we challenged the presumption that LED lighting is maintenance-free. We found that, while it produces significant maintenance benefits over conventional technology, it must be maintained, though it requires rethinking of some aspects of how that service is performed. The DOE produced two studies, which confirmed LED replacement lamps are more energy-efficient and environmentally friendly than both incandescent and CFLs. (1)“Review of the Life-Cycle Energy Consumption of Incandescent, Compact Fluorescent and LED Lamps” (February 2012), is based on an analysis of 10 existing life-cycle assessment studies. (2)“Life-Cycle Assessment of Energy and Environmental Impacts of LED Lighting Products” (June 2012), is based on analysis of more than 25 life-cycle assessment studies. The DOE is planning a third study, which will examine the amount of hazardous materials that exist in LED replacements, CFLs and incandescent lamps and whether those materials are present in levels that exceed federal and California waste disposal regulations. http://www.ecmag.com/section/lighting/illuminating-big-picture%E2%80%A9-leds

5.      What a Difference a Year Makes for Incandescent Lamps - NEMA’s incandescent lamp shipments index showed a precipitous decline of 40.1 percent compared to the same period last year. Moreover, the index reached a value of 49.3, a new record low for the series. On an annual basis, incandescent lamp shipments during 2012 were down 18.3 percent–erasing a 16.4 percent gain for 2011. Compact fluorescent (CFL) lamp shipments dipped slightly during 2012 to an index value of 176, a change of 0.3 percent versus 2011. Meanwhile, halogen A-line lamps continued to make inroads as a viable alternative lamp source increasing by 88.3 percent over last year. http://www.nema.org/News/Pages/What-a-Difference-a-Year-Makes-for-Incandescent-Lamps.aspx

6.      Linear Fluorescent Lamp Shipments Wane During 2012 - NEMA’s shipment indexes for T5 and T8 liner fluorescent lamps increased 2.1 and 15.1 percent in the fourth quarter of 2012 to reach 156.8 and 103.1, respectively. However, the quarterly gains were not able to offset decreases earlier in 2012. The index for T5 lamps posted an annual reading of 159, a decline of 10.7 percent from 2011. T8 lamps declined 14 percent during the year to reach an index value of 99 for 2012. Shipments of T12 lamps showed the largest annual slide, dipping by 18.6 percent to 50 –half the level of 2006. Similarly, the index for T12 lamps reached a new record low of 36.6, a decline of 1.1 percent during Q4. http://www.nema.org/News/Pages/Linear-Fluorescent-Lamp-Shipments-Wane-During-2012.aspx

7.   HID Lamp Shipment Indexes Remain on the Decline During 2012 - NEMA’s HID lamp shipment indexes declined for the second consecutive year during 2012. Mercury vapor lamps declined 9.6 percent to an index value of 44 signifying that shipments during 2012 were 44 percent of the 2006 base level. The index for sodium vapor lamp shipments fell 6.2 percent, landing at 75. Metal halide lamps posted an index reading of 80, declining by 4.9 percent for the year. http://www.nema.org/News/Pages/HID-Lamp-Shipment-Indexes-Remain-on-the-Decline-During-2012.aspx

8.      Independence LED Launches “Cash for Clunkers” Program - Pennsylvania lighting tube manufacturer Independence LED’s new “Cash for Clunkers” program will reimburse the buyer a portion of what their T12 bulbs are worth when they retrofit with the Eagle LED tube. The program also covers the cost for installation and removal of the light bulbs, enabling customers to easily and affordably retrofit their lighting to be both more cost efficient and environmentally friendly. Independence LED plans to spend $10 million on the program.  http://www.independenceled.com/cash_for_clunkers_lighting

9.      Norwalk, CT Shopping Plaza Gets Energy Upgrades - A local shopping plaza is the state's first commercial energy-efficiency project financed through a new program launched earlier this year. The shopping plaza at 542 Westport Ave. financed a $285,000 lighting upgrade through the Commercial and Industrial Property Assessed Clean Energy Program (C-PACE), which is designed to provide commercial and industrial building owners with low-cost, long-term, upfront financing for renewable energy projects.  4/02 New Haven Register

     10.  Businesses to Lower Costs and Save Energy with Efficiency Vermont and SmartWatt Energy - Efficiency Vermont  http://www.efficiencyvermont.com is taking steps to reduce peak electricity demands. Incandescent lighting is a major drain on energy resources, so Efficiency Vermont is undertaking to replace it with LEDs. Efficiency Vermont required an experienced and capable partner to implement the LED Upgrade Program, so it awarded SmartWatt Energy http://www.smartwattinc.com/ the sole program implementation and administration contract. The LED Upgrade Program will help targeted Vermont businesses lower their electricity costs, while also reducing peak electricity demands. 4/01 PRWEB

11.  Are You READY for LIGHTFAIR  in 3 Weeks - Map your course on the LARGEST trade show floor, featuring over 500 exhibitors. Improve your knowledge and take charge of your education with over 66 conference courses offered at LFI. Connect with peers and make new contacts by adding networking and special events. With LIGHTFAIR’s accelerating growth, the trade show floor has expanded to another level - Hall F on the 100 Level of the Pennsylvania Convention Center. Hall F illuminates the future of new lighting technologies with a spotlight on a diverse and well-known lineup of exhibitors. Register at: http://www.lightfair.com/lightfair/V40/index.cvn?id=10189

News Updates for the Week of November 14

1. LIGHTFAIR International Already 99 Percent Sold Out For May 2012 Show in Las Vegas - LIGHTFAIR INTERNATIONAL (LFI) will connect tens of thousands of lighting professionals with more than 475 world-renowned exhibitors at the lighting industry’s premier event taking place May 7-11, 2012 in Las Vegas. Already the show is 99 percent sold out, a strong testament to its strength and importance in the architectural and commercial lighting industries. And it looks like it will be returning to the Pennsylvania Convention Center in Philadelphia in 2013. www.lightfair.com

2. Lasers Could Offer Alternative to LED Light Sources - Two recent announcements, from Sandia Labs and car maker BMW, have suggested that lasers could ultimately provide a more-efficient alternative to LEDs in certain lighting applications. Sandia conducted experiments to evaluate whether a four-color laser system could provide a viable white-light illumination source. Meanwhile, BMW has demonstrated a prototype laser-based headlight system on its i8 Concept car that uses blue lasers and phosphors. The Sandia experiment combined the output of four laser colors – blue, red, green and yellow – to create a white light source that was compared with other light sources, including incandescent and LED-based sources. http://www.ledsmagazine.com/news/8/11/2

3. OSRAM SYLVANIA Introduces ELOGIC Wireless Dimming Technology - OSI’s ELOGIC™ Lighting Controls solution includes dimmable fluorescent ballast controls as well as dimmable LED power supply controls using wireless dimmer technology based on the company’s work with the EnOcean Alliance, a consortium of companies working to standardize and internationalize energy harvesting wireless technology for green intelligent buildings. The dimmable fluorescent ballast and LED power supply controls can both be addressed using OSRAM SYLVANIA’s wireless and battery-free single and dual rocker switches that have both manual ON/OFF switches as well as automatic OFF functionality. http://www.sylvania.com/

4. North American Business Conditions Improve in October with Further Gains Seen Over Next Six Months - NEMA’s Electroindustry Business Confidence Index (EBCI) indicated that conditions facing the North American electroindustry improved on balance in October, climbing to 57.4 from 50 in September. The latest month was the first since May in which the index exceeded the 50-point “growth threshold.” Meanwhile, October’s EBCI for future North American conditions moved higher for a second straight month, increasing to 63 from 58.3 a month ago. http://www.lightnowblog.com/

5. Incandescent Lamp Index Increases During Second Quarter - NEMA’s shipment index for incandescent lamps increased for the second consecutive quarter in Q2 2011, showing an improvement of 5.6% over the same period last year. Conversely, the index for CFLs declined for the fifth consecutive quarter. Moreover, the rate of decline in the shipments index accelerated to 18.5% on a year-over-year basis versus 16.8% y/y and 8.7% y/y during Q1 2011 and Q4 2010, respectively. http://www.lightnowblog.com/

6. NEMA Calls on Congress to Take Action to Extend Expiring Tax Provisions - NEMA joined other businesses, non-profit organizations, and associations in calling on Congress to act quickly to pass legislation that would extend tax provisions that are slated to expire at the end of 2011. Expiring tax provisions that of importance to the electroindustry include those affecting plug-in electric vehicles, research and development, energy-efficient home construction, additional first-year 100 percent depreciation for certain improvements, and 15-year straight line cost recovery for qualified leasehold improvements. http://www.nema.org/media/pr/upload/2011%20Broad%20Tax%20Extenders%20Letter.pdf

News Updates for the Week of February 21

1. Many Consumers Still in the Dark Over Incandescent Phaseout - While more than one-third of Americans are aware of the federal phaseout of incandescent light bulbs, the majority of consumers have yet to learn that the 100-watt bulb is scheduled to disappear from store shelves beginning in 2012. This is one of the many findings of an Osram Sylvania consumer survey involving 300 homeowners and renters nationwide. Overall, the public appears to be optimistic toward the changes ahead: 59% of respondents reported that they were eager to use more energy-efficient lighting solutions. 60% plan to switch to LED, CFLs, or halogen varieties. But 28% of the consumers polled expressed concern over the loss of the traditional light bulb. Only 13% planned to stash away a supply of 100-watt bulbs. 2/18 HCN


2. Chu: Budget is Part of Plan to Win Future - The DOE's $29.5 billion budget proposed by President Barack Obama for FY 2012 invests in what is needed and eliminates what is not, Secretary of Energy Steven Chu said Monday in a press briefing. The FY 2012 budget, Chu said, is part of an administration-wide plan to win the future by "out-innovating, out-educating and out-building the rest of the world," while at the same time cutting programs and expenses. http://www.aikenstandard.com/

3. LCA Updates Education Express Course on LED Lighting Control - Residing at the Lighting Controls Association’s website, EE300: Lighting Control of LEDs provides in-depth education about lighting controls and controllable ballast technology, application, system design and commissioning, as well as meta-issues such as energy codes, daylighting and other trends. http://lightingcontrolsassociation.org/lighting-controls-association-updates-education-express-course-on-led-lighting-control/

4. Survey Illuminates Lighting Trends by Joseph M. Kelly - Electrical contractors have seen the bright lights of opportunity borne by involvement in lighting specification and installation. Over time, market forces have drawn ECs further into the fold, allowing them to increasingly influence brands and make specification decisions and, ultimately, become very vital decisionmakers when it comes to lighting-related projects. This change has occurred across the lighting spectrum, through all categories, including lamps, ballasts, fixtures and controls. LED trends are something to keep an eye on. One-third of electrical contractors say that LEDs are poised to replace incandescent lamps, compared with 23 percent thinking LEDs are currently ready to replace compact fluorescents and another 19 percent suggesting LEDs are ready to replace fluorescent lamps. An additional one-third of those surveyed think that LEDs will be ready to replace each of these lamp types within the next one or two years. 2/’11 Electrical Contractor

5. After Two Years of Declines, Hardware Sales Are Up - Hardware store sales increased slightly in 2010, according to the Census Bureau's Monthly & Annual Trade Report. It showed December sales for hardware stores -- NAICS code 44413 -- reached $1.684 billion in December, the most recent month of available data in this business classification. That unadjusted figure is up 4.5% from the unadjusted figure from December 2009. For the full year, hardware stores sales were $18.756 billion, up 0.7% from 2009. It was the first increase in NAICS code 44413 sales since 2007 showed an increase over 2006. 2/15 HCN

6. Acuity’s Roam Monitoring System to Control Austin’s Lighting - by Doug Chandler - Acuity Brands’ Roam remote monitoring business, based in Kennesaw, Ga., said it has been selected by the city of Austin, Texas, for a comprehensive street lighting upgrade project. The project will enable the city to control each of its approximately 70,000 streetlights with the click of a mouse, once it’s completed in 2014. The city expects annual savings of more than $1 million in combined energy and maintenance costs. The system will be installed and managed by Austin Energy, which will monitor and control the streetlights using data received every hour from the wireless Roam devices via a web-based communication system. http://livewire.electricalmarketing.com/2011/02/18/acuitys-roam-monitoring-system-to-control-austins-lighting/

7. Philips LED Bulb to Cost Around $60 - Final pricing on the 60-watt equivalent EnduraLED bulb from Philips hasn't been released yet, but Ed Crawford, CEO of Philips Lighting in North America, told us that it will sell in the $60 range. Commercial customers will likely be able to buy the EnduraLED in September or October, while residential consumers will get their hands on it in December. It will emit 806 lumens, last at least 25,000 hours, consume 12 watts of power and will save people who buy it $60 over its lifetime.

8. January Housing Starts Rise 14.6% - Residential construction showed a rebound in January as housing starts improved to a pace of 596,000 -- a 14.6% increase over the downwardly revised December pace of 520,000. Compared with a year ago, total starts are down 2.6%, according to the Department of Commerce residential construction report released Wednesday. 2/16 HCN

9. 2011 Solid-State Lighting R&D Workshop Materials - Links to the presentations given at the Transformations in Lighting: 2011 DOE Solid-State Lighting R&D Workshop, held in San Diego, on February 1-3, 2011, as well as reference and handout materials are available at: http://www1.eere.energy.gov/buildings/ssl/sandiego2011_materials.html

News Updates for the Week of December 6

1. Green Building Market Grows Despite Construction Slowdown - Despite a deep economic recession, the U.S. green building market has expanded dramatically since 2008 and is projected to double its size by 2015, says a new report by New York-based McGraw-Hill Construction. The value of green construction jumped 50% from $42 billion in 2008 to $71 billion in 2010, when it represented 25% of the all new building activity, and it's expected to reach $135 billion by 2015, according to the firm's Green Outlook 2011 report. http://ecmweb.com/ezone/green-building-market-grows-20101123/?cid=nl_ezone.

2. NEMA Third-Quarter 2010 Lighting Systems Index Improves - Third-quarter 2010 performance beat the second quarter’s by 0.9% and was 5.6% ahead of third-quarter 2009’s. http://www.nlb.org/index.cfm?cdid=10452&pid=10226. 

3. Incandescent Lamp Index Declines to Record Low During Third Quarter of 2010 - NEMA’s index for incandescent lamps declined 17.2 percent for the third quarter, registering a record low reading of 46.5. The index showed a year-over-year decline of nearly 19.0 percent. Shipments of compact fluorescent lamps (CFLs) waned as well, with the index dipping 18.2 percent to 168.8—a level not seen since 2006. Moreover, CFL shipments decreased 12.7 percent on a year-over-year basis. http://www.nema.org/media/pr/20101202a.cfm.

4. Shipments of Metal Halide Lamps Remain Solid During the Third Quarter - Mercury vapor lamps carved out a 5.4 percent share of the HID lamp market, an increase of 1.3 percentage points over the previous quarter. Market shares for metal halide and sodium vapor HID lamps moved in opposing directions during the quarter. Metal halide lamps improved 2.8 percentage points to 63.3 percent of total shipments while the market share of sodium vapor lamps contracted to 31.3 percent—a decline of 4.1 percentage points. http://www.nema.org/media/pr/20101203b.cfm. 

5. Secretary Chu Announces Nearly $21 Million in Technical Assistance Projects to Improve Energy Use in Commercial Buildings - During a live online chat at the White House, U.S. Energy Secretary Steven Chu announced that 24 projects are receiving a total of $21 million in technical assistance to dramatically reduce the energy used in their commercial buildings. http://www.energy.gov/news/9838.htm. Learn more about Commercial Building Partnerships and other projects that are part of DOE's Building Technologies Program.

6. CO State Launches Green Loan Programs for Business - Businesses looking to invest in energy efficiency upgrades could benefit from two loan programs that were announced Tuesday. The Colorado Housing and Finance Authority (CHFA) will oversee both programs, one aimed at retrofits and projects below $100,000, the other at retrofits and renewable energy projects above that threshold. Both are funded by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. Interested businesses can find more information at www.chfainfo.com. 12/1 The Gazette

7. CA Energy Commission Awards Nearly $3 Million for Energy Research - Demonstrating the importance of funding innovation, the California Energy Commission on 12/3/10 approved $2,868,787 for four energy research projects including solutions for retrofitting lighting in commercial buildings. The research projects are funded by the Energy Commission's Public Interest Energy Research (PIER) program. For more information, visit www.energy.ca.gov/research.
 

8. AL Loan Program Helps Businesses Be More Energy-Efficient - Starting 12/1 /10, Alabama businesses wanting to become more energy-efficient will have an easier time finding the money to make those changes. The Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs has started a $60 million revolving loan program called AlabamaSAVES (Sustainable and Verifiable Energy Savings). Alabama industrial and commercial business owners will be able to apply for 2 percent interest loans of between $250,000 and $4 million to finance energy-saving improvements to their facilities. The loans can be used to upgrade heating and air-conditioning systems, windows and doors, electrical systems, water heating systems, energy management systems, lighting and insulation. http://www.alabamasaves.com.

9. Tampa Electric Gets Florida Public Service Commission Approval to Expand Energy-Efficiency Programs and Incentives - Tampa Electric received approval from the Florida Public Service Commission (FPSC) to expand its current lineup of energy efficiency programs for customers. In addition to the new programs and enhancements to existing programs, $1.5 million in incentives will be offered by Tampa Electric each year for five years to help customers install renewable technologies. The new programs should be available to customers in the first quarter of 2011. The availability of these incentives is limited and will be offered on a first-come, first-served basis. Reservations will be accepted online at www.tampaelectric.com. 12/1 BUSINESS WIRE

10. Lighting Fixtures - Global Strategic Business Report - This report analyzes the worldwide markets for Lighting Fixtures. Annual estimates and forecasts are provided for each region for the period 2007 through 2015. Also, a seven-year historic analysis is provided for these markets. For more information: http://www.researchandmarkets.com/product/7b103a/lighting_fixtures_global_strategic_business.

Total Companies Profiled: 746 (including Divisions/Subsidiaries - 838) 

Region/Country Players	Region/Country Players
The United States: 82	Italy: 63
Canada: 13	Spain: 30
Japan: 13	Rest of Europe: 157
Europe: 462	Asia-Pacific: 219
France: 32	Latin America: 16
Germany: 101	Africa: 16
The United Kingdom: 79	Middle East: 17

Monthly Special Feature…

CFL Lamp Index Gives Back Prior Gains for Second Quarter 2010 -http://www.nema.org/media/pr/20100825a.cfm

NEMA’s compact fluorescent lamps (CFL) index posted a reading of 210.1 during the second quarter of 2010, negating the 3.1 percent year-over-year gain during the previous quarter. CFL shipments decreased 4.2 percent on a quarterly basis following increases of 14.0 and 1.8 percent for the previous two quarters. Meanwhile, shipments of incandescent lamps decreased 2.8 percent on a year-over-year basis, as the index slipped to 57.0. This reading indicates shipments are less than 60 percent of 2006 levels.

Although sales of both lamp types remain at lower levels compared to last year, CFLs continue to gain market share at the expense of incandescent lamps. The share of CFL lamps increased to a new high water mark of 26.7 percent while A-line incandescent lamps fell for the second consecutive quarter, decreasing to 73.3 percent.

Significant Growth for Sodium Vapor Lamps During Second Quarter - http://www.nema.org/media/pr/20100826a.cfm

Shipments of sodium vapor high intensity discharge (HID) lamps increased 3.9 percent to 92.6 in 2010Q2, the highest level in two years. The index reading was 17.1 percent above the same period last year. Metal halide HID lamp shipments decreased 4.0 percent to 82.5 from the previous quarter, but were still 0.5 percent above the same period last year. The mercury vapor HID index declined 9.5 percent to 49.2, indicating shipments were less than half of the average 2006 level.

Market shares for sodium vapor and metal halide HID lamp types increased during the quarter. Sodium vapor lamps showed a 35.4 percent share of sales while metal halide lamps registered a 60.5 percent share, a slight difference versus the 34.5 and 60.4 percent figures, respectively, registered in calendar year 2009. The share of mercury vapor lamps slipped to 4.1 percent from 4.8 percent during the previous quarter.

NEMA's T5 Fluorescent Lamp Shipments Show Double Digit Increase - http://www.nema.org/media/pr/20100831a.cfm

NEMA’s T5 lamp shipments index registered a reading of 152.0 during the second quarter of 2010, a 41.1 percent increase from a year ago. The index reclaimed lost ground from the previous quarter, rebounding by 19.8 percent. T8 lamp shipments also showed robust growth, increasing 12.7 on a year-over-year basis. Conversely, shipments of T12 lamps declined 2.6 and 7.9 percent for the quarterly and year-over-year comparisons, respectively.

The share of T12 lamps in the linear fluorescent market also declined. T12 lamps accounted for 26.3 percent of sales, 5.1 percentage points below the 2009 average of 31.4 percent. T8 lamps increased to a 65.0 percent, a half point below its all-time high. The portion of the market held by T12 lamps grew to a new high of 8.7 percent. These market share trends are likely to continue due to the July 1, 2010 completion of the phase-out of T12 magnetic ballasts.