Leading into Lightfair, Cree made announcements in both its lighting division and its core LED business. Cree Lighting announced a high-end LED downlight that it says targets architectural-grade applications, and a mainstream downlight meant to match the price of compact-fluorescent (CFL)-based downlights. In addition, the company launched the CS series linear solid-state lighting (SSL) fixture rated for 75,000 hours of life. Cree’s LED unit, meanwhile, has announced new LED modules and more comprehensive TEMPO testing services for its LED customers.

The new SR Series Architectural Downlight is available in a choice of 3000K, 3500K and 4000K CCTs with a CRI greater than 90. Cree joins a number of companies in using the word architectural to imply a higher-performing product, although that terminology can be confusing given that it’s more widely used to describe outdoor lighting of buildings and structures.

David Elien, vice president at Cree Lighting, says the optical design of the SR products sets it apart. He said, “Many LED downlights have a gap between the light source and the reflector in the can.” With the new downlight, Cree announced the Cree Light Source-Reflector Unity Optical system. What that means, according to Elien, is that the light is uniformly and evenly spread across the surface of the optics and the reflector.

“With the SR Series, the high-quality LED light you expect from Cree comes in a package that you would expect from an architectural-grade lighting manufacturer and at a price point consistent with the industry,” said Leah Robinson, lighting designer at Affiliated Engineers, Inc. “Plus, its high efficacy and color consistency allows designers to put more thought into the details of their design and feel confident in the quality of their downlighting solutions.”

The SR Series delivers 2000 lm, efficacy of 80 lm/W, and a lifetime of 75,000 hours. The product is priced in the $200 range and Elien said that’s commensurate with architectural-grade products based on legacy sources. That means, according to Elien, that payback is instant. He said, “The goal is no compromise for the user, but to drive payback.”

Contractor-grade downlight

Cree classifies the second new downlight – the KR Series – as contractor grade, and the product will sell in the $150 range. Like the SR Series, the KR series uses Cree TrueWhite technology that mixes amber and red LEDs to produce a warmer light and higher CRI. Indeed, the KR series delivers better than 90 CRI in 2700K, 3000K and 3500K CCT options.

While the SR series is 0-10V dimmable, the KR series is dimmable via a triac to 5% of full output. Cree said the product is a direct replacement for 13W and 26W CFL downlights while offering 30% energy savings and superior efficacy at 54 lm/W.

The new Cree CS series linear fixtures, meanwhile, build on the successful CR series. The CS series does not include a lens but uses a new reflector design to achieve even distribution of light.

Cree already has a happy customer. “We researched the LED market extensively and only Cree offered a solution that delivered high-quality lighting and easy payback,” said Jason D. Curtis, principal of Cardinal Gibbons High School in Raleigh, NC. “Since the new CS series is designed for 75,000 hours of life, Cardinal Gibbons High School can benefit from ongoing operational savings due to decreased maintenance and lower energy consumption compared to the linear fluorescents we replaced.”

The CS series can be suspended from the ceiling or flush mounted with an optional bracket. The luminaires come in 8- and 4-ft versions. The luminaires deliver efficacy of 120 lm/W and CRI above 90.

Cree module and TEMPO

Moving from finished lighting products to enabling technologies, Cree announced a new module designed to replace metal-halide (MH) lamps, and more extensive testing services in its TEMPO program. The new modules are extensions to the company’s LMH2 family with output ranging from 2000-3000 lm. Cree has added a new lens system that delivers a hemispheric light pattern. The module enables 50-70W SSL replacements for MH lamps in applications such as spot and track lights.

In the testing area, Cree has added to its TEMPO (Thermal Electrical Mechanical Photometric Optical) program announced last fall. The new TEMPO 24 offering includes the testing of luminaires made by Cree’s LED customers to the LM-79 standards. The National Voluntary Laboratory Accreditation Program (NVLAP) has accredited Cree’s service. Overall, the TEMPO program also includes some thermal and electrical evaluations that go well beyond LM-79 requirements.

“In my experience, if I had to select a single document that’s had the greatest impact in selling LED light sources to customers, it would be the Cree TEMPO report,” said Pierre van Helden, CEO of LED Lighting SA. “The service provided an independent and thorough review for our products and the results give us the confidence to sell our products with passion—giving our customers the assurance that our products are being designed and produced to the highest international standards.”

Royal Philips Electronics (PHIA.AE) has reported that it delivered a healthy first-quarter 2012 net profit, which was helped by strong sales and gains from asset sales. Philips’ largest division, its healthcare operations, performed strongly, and the lighting division enjoyed its first increase in revenues in eight quarters.

“I’m happy to report that we are now seeing solid improvement across all sectors of our business and our growth figures for the first quarter confirm this trend, with Healthcare growing at 9%, Consumer Lifestyle growth businesses above 7%, and Lighting at 2%. Excluding external sales of Lumileds, which saw a double-digit decline in the quarter due to inventory correction in the channel and an increasing mix of internal sales, our Lighting business actually grew by 4% in the quarter. LED product sales for the quarter grew by 22%, said van Houten.

After taking the helm at Philips a year ago, van Houten aims to make the company leaner and more customer focused. He cautioned, however, about the remainder of 2012, citing the uncertainties in Europe, particularly in the healthcare sector and in construction markets.

The company delivered a net profit of EUR248 million (US326 million) for the first three months of the year, up more than 80% from EUR137 million (US180 million) in the same period last year. In the final quarter of 2011 it had posted a net loss of EUR162 million (US213 million), due to weak markets and losses from its TV business.

In efforts to stem its losses, Philips plans to cut 4500 jobs globally including 1400 positions in the Netherlands.

Cree Reports 30% year-over-year revenue increase

Cree (NASDAQ: CREE) based in Durham, NC has announced revenue of $284.8 million for its third quarter of fiscal 2012 ended March 25, 2012. This represents a 30% increase compared to revenue of $219.2 million reported for the third quarter of fiscal 2011 but a 6% decrease compared to the second quarter of fiscal 2012.

Net income (generally accepted accounting practices or GAAP) for the third quarter was $9.5 million, or $0.08 per diluted share, a decrease of 50% year-over-year compared to GAAP net income of $18.9 million, or $0.17 per diluted share, for the third quarter of fiscal 2011.

“Our third quarter earnings per share were in the middle of our target range as strong factory execution and a tax benefit offset the impact of revenue being slightly below our target range,” stated Chuck Swoboda, Cree chairman and CEO. “Overall company backlog is stronger than it was at this point last quarter, with Lighting, LEDs and Power and RF all tracking ahead of Q2, although order visibility is still limited. Our focus remains on driving adoption through innovation and we believe we are well positioned to continue leading the transition to LED lighting and drive growth in our business.”

For its fourth quarter of fiscal 2012 ending June 24, 2012, Cree targets revenue in a range of $295 million to $315 million with GAAP gross margin targeted to be 35%, which includes a stock-based compensation expense of approximately $2.5 million.

Pike Research expects LED lighting to take off in Asia Pacific

A recently published report from market research company Pike Research based in Boulder, CO states that in most Asia Pacific markets, governments are committing large amounts of funding to basic LED lighting infrastructure, creating an abundance of business opportunities. The firm expects sales of LED lighting systems to increase rapidly over the next ten years and to accelerate sharply after 2015. Unit shipments, including lamps and luminaires, will rise from 66 million in 2011 to 542 million in 2021 — an increase of more than 700%.

Among the frontrunners in energy-efficient lighting technology are Japan, which revealed its plans to lead the LED lighting industry through its 21st Century Light Project more than a decade ago, and Taiwan, which has established a Next Generation Light Source Technology Development & Supply Strategy that calls for a greater reliance on LED lighting and material production as a national industry, reducing its focus on the semiconductor industry.

The report, “Energy Efficient Lighting in Asia Pacific,” describes the key technology and market trends driving the use of LED and other high-efficiency lighting in the commercial, industrial and outdoor stationary sectors within the Asia Pacific region. The report analyzes policy issues, market adoption trends and the competitive landscape.

These LED grow lights are equipped with a long life time and often considered as a great source to produce lights at the required place. Basically, these LED grow lights are now used at the plantation arenas. These are the places where installation of perfect lighting is exactly important which also allows the plants to grow perfectly.

Installation of these lights can really help in accelerating the plant life and growth to a great extent. Before, traditional bulbs and lights were used for this purpose. But the consumption of energy has really offered plantation teams a great worry. But now with the announcement of the LED grow lights, they can save more on their energy bills while allowing the plants to grow in a proper manner.

Why We Utilize LED Grow Lights?

Difference between the traditional lights and the LED lights

Before LED lights were been invented, usually we used the halide lights prepared of metal. Operating law is when the electricity is put through the arc tube and where there are many gases, which includes dangerous ones, mercury, then light is produced. Also, there is not any doubt in that way, all gases will not be stimulated, it isn’t very efficient. But, it isn’t same case with the LED lights. In place of using friction, the LED produces light through movement of the electrons under impetus of voltage. This is the process by which electric energy is been turned in light energy. In that way, we got no extra heat & no radiation that does well for planting growth.

While comparisons are actually made against the traditional halogen or else CDM lamps, cost advantages are observed very easily. Observation and measurement is generally known as return on investment. Seven segment based LED light display will show all numbers and some letters, while starburst LEDs based can show all letters.

This form of lighting is gaining lots of popularity but several men and women nevertheless have difficulties understanding the complexities of LED lighting. This stems from misunderstanding the appropriate wavelength of the emitters applied within a given unit. Because there are actually diverse emitter selections, it is best to not try and compare the wavelength of a very simple LED flashlight to that of an advanced aquarium light.

Away from the problems of understanding the wavelength, this technologies has presented a viable replacement to T5 and metal halide aquarium lighting alternatives. This can be due to the fact tough and soft coral can survive nicely below high output reef LED lighting in comparison with other types of lighting.

Compared to ordinary fluorescent lighting, LEDs using the correct output emitters are far better for reef tanks primarily due to the fact they offer far more flexibility. This can be mainly because the rate of photometric radiation also remains inside a narrow band more than the electromagnetic spectrum when the led lights operate. Bear in mind, for some reef tanks and aquatic plant life, distinct photometric wavelengths are hugely helpful. To manage the wavelength, a uncomplicated network of numerous colored LED lights could be connected to a digital controller giving you the outcomes you’re trying to find.

The direction of the light produced is also vital. Commonly light from LEDs is emitted only within a particular direction. As a result, for the reef LED lighting, the installer has the opportunity to illuminate only a specific location as needed. This may be carried out simply through rotation with the tube casing. This way there is no have to have for the LED to generate quite a few lumens considering that there’s minimal loss.

The sort of light necessary to support aquarium life also favors reef LED lighting. Given that the LEDs allow 1 to select the precise wavelength necessary, there is restricted or no green and yellow light emitted. Don’t forget, these two are deemed useless to aquatic life. This can be also the reason why led light might seem dull for the naked eye in comparison with other forms of light but possess a higher output of light energy when in use.

Away from the tricky stuff, you’ll notice that reef LED lighting helps a single overcome heat issues linked with aquarium lighting. The lights are also lengthy lasting with most getting a regular lifespan of 50,000 hours. They are also incredibly compact hence, they must not present any usage problems.

From the facts above, it can be clear that deciding on reef LED lighting is just not dictated only by private preference. This is why 1 need to get a great provider to offer you him the appropriate solution to satisfy his demands.

GE Lighting Solutions of East Cleveland, OH, has introduced its first commercial product in the Lumination brand line. It is a recessed LED troffer offered in 600×600-cm (2×2 ft) and 300×1200-cm (1×4 ft) versions with a panel thickness of only 14 mm (0.5 in). Both sizes are offered in 3000K, 3500K and 4000K configurations.

The ceiling panel is designed for office, retail, healthcare and education environments. The troffer is designed to compete with fluorescent fixtures and installs in common T-bar ceiling grids. A built-in dimmable driver, which brings the installed thickness to 64 mm (2.5 in), is designed to ease installation.

A critical aspect of the panel design is the technology used to achieve a particular distribution of light from the panel to the target area. Cree XP-G LEDs are mounted horizontally along the side of the panel while an optical film that incorporates high-efficiency microprismatic materials optimizes the photometric distribution. GE licensed this microprismatic material, called MicroLens, from Sunnyvale, CA-based Rambus. Using proprietary optical modeling software and design techniques, MicroLens optimizes the light distribution across an entire surface or focuses the light in specific locations. Luminous output is 3550 lm at 50W and 4000K or 3220 lm at 3000K and 50W. CRI is 80.

When illuminated, the Lumination LED troffer produces an even glow and complies with the required UGR 19 glare rating for office lighting. When the panel is off, it appears free of a light source, unlike fluorescent fixtures.

“The Lumination brand signals our arrival in LED fixture design and aspires to shape the future of indoor lighting,” says Steve Briggs, vice president of marketing and product management for GE Lighting Solutions. “Whether making a bold statement in your office, optimizing a selling environment to dazzle customers or creating a calming healthcare setting, these fixtures are unlike anything you’ve seen before.”

The projected life to 85 percent of initial lumens is 50,000 hours and the product is supplied with a 5-year warranty. DALI or 1-10V dimming is standard and the system is compatible with daylight harvesting control systems for additional energy savings.

GE provided an energy savings analysis comparison with various fluorescent fixtures. The minimal energy savings is 11 percent annually relative to a four-lamp T5 fluorescent tube configuration. Estimated energy savings of 26 percent can be achieved relative to a two-lamp twin-tube fluorescent configuration.

GE Lighting Solutions has stated that it expects to introduce more than ten new luminaires in the next year and a half including including linear, suspended-fixture and surface-mounted troffers.