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U.S. Department of Energy Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy

Solid-state lighting (SSL) technology has the potential to reduce U.S. lighting energy usage by nearly one half and contribute significantly to our nation's climate change solutions. The U.S. Department of Energy acts as a catalyst to drive R&D breakthroughs in efficiency and performance, and to equip buyers to successfully apply SSL lighting.

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A Comprehensive Program

The U.S. Department of Energy—together with industry partners—sponsors a comprehensive program to spur SSL research, development, and commercialization. Learn more about:

Solid-State Lighting Basics

Photo of a road at night with an LED streetlight.

Why SSL?

Why are government and industry investments being directed to develop solid-state lighting? What strategies are needed to advance this promising technology?
Photo of an LED on a circuit board.

LED Basics

How do LEDs compare to conventional white light sources, and what factors determine the quality of lighting they provide?
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Using LEDs

Today, a steady stream of LED replacement lamps and light fixtures is entering the general lighting market. How can buyers make informed decisions about using these products in key applications?
Photo of a microscope image of an LED.

R&D Challenges

How is R&D continually improving the energy efficiency, color quality, lifetime, cost, reliability, and other aspects of LED lighting systems? What is on the horizon for organic LEDs?
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Market Challenges

Initial consumer disappointment in other efficient lighting, such as CFLs, slowed early market adoption. What is being done to enable more successful market introductions for SSL?
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Standards

What is the lighting industry doing to set standards for LED products? How are performance attributes being tested and reported, and how can buyers benefit from this information?

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