News

20 July 2009

 

North Carolina’s first eco-friendly McDonald’s lit with Cree LED lights

McDonald’s has opened a new, more energy-efficient restaurant in the Saltbox Village shopping center in Cary, NC that features LED lighting from Cree Inc of Durham, NC. The new building is on-track to be the first LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) certified McDonald's in the state.

The site’s original McDonald’s was demolished early this year and rebuilt specifically to achieve LEED certification from the US Green Building Council. Franchise owner/operator Ric Richards hopes to be LEED-gold-certified by October. The store is lit 97% with LEDs and consumes 78% less electricity for lighting compared to the standard lighting packages.

“My efforts in building this store are two-fold – to be economically sound with energy-efficient methods and, at the same time, to provide a modern space for the enjoyment of customers,” Richards explains. “Cree’s LED lighting products are an important element in our ability to reach our energy-efficiency targets.”

The Cary McDonald’s uses a fully automated, intelligent lighting-control system that combines light from Cree LED lighting and daylighting from Solatube skylights with a photo sensor to maintain the desired light levels on work surfaces (e.g. if it rains and daylighting is reduced, the LED light levels are increased to compensate). The dimming capability of LED lighting provides the flexibility needed for this system to work effectively. Cree’s LED products are featured throughout the restaurant, including dining areas, kitchen, hallways and restrooms, as well as the parking lot, drive-thru and entryways.

“By seeking LEED-gold certification, this McDonald's demonstrates the importance of LED lighting as a crucial component for green building,” says Cree LED Lighting president Neal Hunter. “The full line of Cree LED lights is in use in this building, from our recessed downlights to our new LED bulb,” he adds.

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