International Lighting Group Adds New Product Categories, Updates Current Specifications
Lexington, MA – Lighting manufacturers, energy efficiency program administrators, and others in the Solid State Lighting (SSL) field now have more options for promoting and incentivizing energy efficient lighting technology thanks to a recent revision to the DesignLights Consortium’s SSL Qualified Products List (QPL). The list, which features cutting edge lighting products that can be considered for incentives by utility efficiency programs in the US and Canada, has added eight new product categories, including Horizontal Refrigerated Case Lighting, Retrofit Kits for Outdoor Decorative Luminaires, and Linear Fluorescent Replacement Lamps.
Launched in October 2009 and managed by Northeast Energy Efficiency Partnerships, the DesignLights Consortium (DLC) QPL (www.designlights.org) provides a central place for manufacturers to submit products for qualification and for utilities and energy efficiency program administrators to distinguish high performing products for use in their incentive programs. Due to the rapid technological advances in the SSL industry, the group has conducted an update to its specification criteria and also added new product categories. The new categories now on the QPL are:
- Bollards
- Wall-wash Luminaires
- Horizontal Refrigerated Case Lighting
- Linear Panels, 1x4
- Linear Panels, 2x4
- Retrofit Kits for Outdoor Area and Roadway Luminaires
- Retrofit Kits for Outdoor Decorative Luminaires
- 4’ Linear Fluorescent Replacement Lamps
“The SSL industry has grown tremendously in recent years, and the DLC has been able to meet a critical gap in the market by supporting energy efficiency programs and the SSL market,” said Bjorn Londo, Associate Energy Engineer, Northeast Utilities. “This review of specifications and the addition of new products only prove how the DLC can stay ahead of the market and continue to be an important resource in supporting market transformation.
In addition to adding categories to the QPL, the DLC has updated the qualifying specifications for the original 11 categories to ensure the list captures the most efficient lighting products. “It’s very important that utilities and program administrators have the most up-to-date information on the most promising new technology,” said Jon Linn, Commercial Programs Manager at Northeast Energy Efficiency Partnerships (NEEP), the organization spearheading the DLC. “That is why the DLC periodically updates its specification criteria. We have reviewed and updated performance specs for the 11 existing categories. We examined market developments, especially through utility program incentive requests, and we have adjusted levels for efficacy, light output, color properties, warranty, power factor, etc.”
"Over the last several years we have seen a growing interest in solid-state lighting (LED) products among our customers,” said Jorge Marques, Manager of Technology and Innovation at BC Hydro. “This growth is reflected in the number of new SSL products available in the market. Since its launch, the DLC Qualified Products List has grown in lock-step with this broader market growth. By updating this list, we hope to raise awareness of products that will be more likely to meet customers’ expectations for lighting quality, performance, and efficiency.”
About NEEP
Northeast Energy Efficiency Partnerships (NEEP) is a non-profit organization that transforms the way we use and think about energy. Through advocacy, collaboration and education we focus on three areas where we believe energy efficiency can have the greatest impact: buildings, high efficiency products & best practices. Our unique approach helps bring together all stakeholders to accelerate energy efficiency and highlight its impacts on the region, the economy, and the planet. For more information, visit www.neep.org.
About the DesignLights Consortium
The DesignLights Consortium (DLC) is committed to bringing affordable, energy-conscious utility service and lighting design practices to the Northeast. Northeast Energy Efficiency Partnerships, Inc. (NEEP) is spearheading this campaign to educate the marketplace, encourage energy-saving design practices, promote efficient lighting products, and develop tools to assist lighting providers. The DLC manages the SSL Qualified Products List, which benefits everyone who is interested in advancing solid state lighting in the commercial sector. Manufacturers need only to submit product data once to be considered for 35 utility and state efficiency programs throughout the US and Canada. Utility efficiency program administrators save time not having to review individual product specifications and can be assured that DLC QPL fixtures are quality products that will deliver expected performance and energy savings. For more details and to view a list of our Sponsors, visit www.designlights.org.