Energy efficient lighting design competition features lighting controls, SSL fixtures, retrofit kits, and replacement lamps
Lighting for Tomorrow is celebrating its tenth year of cultivating innovation in lighting and light sources by launching its newest international competition in 2012. For the first time, retrofit kits will be included in the competition. Lighting for Tomorrow will also continue to build on the momentum from previous competitions for lighting control products including stand-alone, system-based, and whole house devices as well as SSL fixtures for specific applications and replacement lamps. This international lighting design competition officially launched at the Dallas Lighting Market, January 19–23. Lighting for Tomorrow is organized by the American Lighting Association (ALA), the Consortium for Energy Efficiency (CEE), and Underwriters Laboratories (UL). About two dozen energy efficiency organizations in the US and Canada have pledged approximately $150,000 to sponsor this latest competition. Lighting Controls Competition in Third Year Lighting for Tomorrow has been furthering the controllability of energy efficient lighting for several years. In 2008, the fluorescent fixture competition requested that all CFL-equipped chandeliers be able to dim. Following this advance, a fluorescent dimming competition in 2009 sought good quality dimming in both fixtures and CFLs. In 2010 and 2011, Lighting for Tomorrow pushed the lighting world a step further with a lighting controls competition that requires lighting control devices to be compatible with fluorescent or LED technology, which will be continued in 2012. The judging panel will be evaluating products based on functionality, ease of installation and use, innovation, and ability to work with other systems and existing luminaires. Past winners include Legrand®, Leviton, and Lutron®. Solid State Lighting Competition in Seventh Year For the last six years, the Lighting for Tomorrow competition has stimulated development in SSL products. Since including these products in 2006, the competition has seen a tremendous increase in the quantity and quality of light emitting diode (LED) products, and aims to continue moving this market by awarding the top performing products every year. The competition is widening its scope in 2012 with the inclusion of retrofit kits, and continuing with a broad range of residential lighting products such as fixtures and replacement lamps. Entries in this competition will be judged on the basis of lighting performance, marketability, and energy efficiency. In 2011, six winners and five honorable mentions were selected including manufacturers Cooper Lighting, Cree®, Designers Fountain, Edge Lighting, Holtkötter, Lithonia Lighting®, MaxLiteTM, and OSRAM SYLVANIA. The deadline for entries is April 20, 2012. Winners will be announced during an award ceremony at the ALA Conference, September 9–11, 2012 in Scottsdale, AZ and will be eligible to be promoted by energy efficiency programs across the US and Canada during the following year. For complete guidelines and rules for the 2012 competition, see www.lightingfortomorrow.com.
