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

Solid-State Lighting

ENERGY STAR® Program for Solid-State Lighting

The EnergyStar logo, which consists of a square containing the top third of a circle, under which is written in script the word 'energy' followed by the graphic of a star; underneath is a horizontal line, and under the line are the words 'ENERGY STAR'.

To learn more about ENERGY STAR for SSL, see FAQs

On September 30, 2008, the ENERGY STAR Solid-State Lighting (SSL) Program went into effect, and the first ENERGY STAR-labeled SSL products arrived on the market in November 2008. As a result, manufacturers who are ENERGY STAR partners can submit products for qualification, retailers can promote these qualified products in their stores and showrooms, utilities and energy efficiency organizations can implement incentive programs for these efficient products, and consumers can look for the ENERGY STAR label on quality SSL products. The ENERGY STAR label on SSL luminaires provides consumers with the confidence that these products meet efficiency and performance criteria established by DOE in collaboration with industry stakeholders.

The Criteria

The ENERGY STAR program for SSL establishes the industry-wide criteria that manufacturers can use to promote qualifying products. The rapid pace of solid-state lighting technology advances led DOE to select a unique two-phase approach—the first phase allows for early participation of a limited range of market-ready products while the second phase sets out more rigorous performance targets for future products. Product criteria and criteria under development are continually updated to keep pace with SSL technology advances.

Qualifying Products

To help manufacturers navigate the qualification process, DOE has created a Manufacturer's Guide for Qualifying Solid-State Lighting Luminaires. The Manufacturer's Guide outlines the performance benchmarks that ENERGY STAR qualified products must meet, identifies testing facilities approved to conduct ENERGY STAR testing, and establishes the protocols manufacturers must follow to submit this information for approval. An online product submittal tool allows manufacturers to upload the necessary information and test data required. Learn more.

Finding Qualified Products

ENERGY STAR is focusing on lighting applications and products that have advanced to a point where performance is equal to or better than traditional efficient lighting technologies, based on light output, luminaire efficacy, and cost. The focus on quality will go a long way to ensure that consumers have a good experience with this new technology. The ENERGY STAR website offers a range of consumer resources, including a Buyer's Guide for Selecting LED Products, a Qualified Product List, and Frequently Asked Questions. Learn more.

About ENERGY STAR

ENERGY STAR is the most recognizable symbol of energy-efficient products in the United States. ENERGY STAR is a joint program of the U.S. Department of Energy and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency that labels the most efficient new homes and other buildings and a wide range of residential and commercial products. ENERGY STAR qualified products use less energy, save money, and help protect the environment. To learn more about ENERGY STAR, visit www.energystar.gov.