News

15 February 2007

 

Cree and Raleigh launch ‘LED City’ municipal lighting initiative

Cree Inc of Durham, NC, USA and the the municipal government of the City of Raleigh (North Carolina’s capital) have announced a joint city-wide initiative to test, deploy and promote LED technology, focused on general lighting applications. The ‘LED City’ initiative aims to create a ‘living laboratory’ to deliver the economic, environmental and usage benefits of LED lighting to the residents of Raleigh. The initiative is expected to serve as a model for other cities that are considering implementing energy-efficient infrastructures.

Initial results were also announced for the initiative’s first installation, focused on validating both the cost savings and technology capabilities of LED lighting. In December, fixtures provided by Lighting Science Group Corp of Dallas, TX, USA were installed by Amtech Lighting Services in the Raleigh Municipal Building parking deck. Progress Energy, Raleigh’s primary electric utility provider, says that the floor equipped with LED lights uses over 40% less energy than the standard lighting system, and that the quality of light is greatly improved.

Over the next 18 months Raleigh also plans to deploy LED lighting in applications including street lights, architectural and accent lighting, portable lighting and pedestrian and walkway lighting.

“The economic benefits for municipalities to invest in LEDs are clear – they save energy, reduce environmental impact and improve the quality of light…it’s our civic responsibility to invest in the future and ensure the highest possible quality of life and safety,” says Raleigh’s mayor Charles Meeker. “We believe that the cost savings and benefits of LED lighting are real and achievable today.”

“Today’s announcement represents a milestone toward large-scale adoption of clean, energy-efficient technologies,” says Kateri Callahan, president of the Washington, DC-based Alliance to Save Energy (ASE). “Raleigh’s progressive commitment to becoming the first ‘LED City’ will no doubt serve as a model for other cities seeking to improve energy consumption and reduce negative impacts on the environment. We commend Cree and the City of Raleigh for helping support our mission of achieving a healthier economy, a cleaner environment and greater energy security.”

“We invite other municipalities to join us in developing energy-efficient civic centers,” says Cree’s CEO and chairman Chuck Swoboda. The initiative establishes an important driver for LED adoption within the USA, he adds.

Visit: http://www.cree.com