DOE releases draft Energy Star requirements for SSL luminaires

The draft document, "Energy Star Program Requirements for Solid-State Lighting Luminaires" describes how products targeting the general illumination market will be able to comply with program requirements. Energy Star is a voluntary labeling program designed to identify and promote energy-efficient products.

The draft requirements have been posted on the DOE SSL website for review and comment.

Download the Energy Star document (PDF, 370 K)

The document specifies numerous requirements. For example, there are eight designated correlated color temperature (CCT) values, and the LEDs must have a useful life of 35,000 hours defined as the average rated lumen maintenance of at least 70% of initial device lumens. There are definitions of color spatial uniformity and color maintenance over lifetime, as well as driver requirements, packaging requirements, and warranty requirements for luminaires.

Comments should be forwarded to Richard Karney, DOE Energy Star Product Manager, at [email protected] or via facsimile at 202-586-4617, no later than January 19, 2007. A Stakeholder Workshop to discuss the criteria and comments will be held in the coming weeks; details will be announced soon.

As part of its national strategy to accelerate market introduction of high efficiency solid-state lighting (SSL) products, the DOE is leading Energy Star management, specification development, and partner relations for SSL products used for general illumination.

These products include residential, commercial, industrial, and outdoor lighting SSL applications of all types, as well as innovative SSL systems applications of all types (includes "free-form" SSL systems, and those incorporated into furniture, buildings, and equipment).