International LED firms such as Cree and Osram have introduced LED light bulbs priced below US$10/unit and EUR10/unit (US$12.83/unit), and price competition is expected to heat up in 2013.
TSMC Solid State Lighting (SSL), a subsidiary of TSMC, offers phosphor on die (PoD) solutions that can greatly reduce the weight of devices and drive down the cost of LED driver ICs to one third of teh original.
TSMC SSL reportedly plans to introduce new LED lighting products at the Guangzhou International Lighting Exhibition 2013 in June. TSMC SSL also reportedly plans to expand cooperation with Taiwan-based LED lighting brand Leadray from outdoor to indoor LED lighting by introducing LED light bulbs, high-efficiency tube lights, and spotlights in the second half of 2013.
Genesis Photonics stated that by increasing LED current, the target price of US$2/unit for LED light bulbs with 1,000 lumens can be achieved.
According to LED firms, the ex-factory prices of 40W retrofit LED light bulbs have fallen to US$3-4/unit. To lower costs, industry sources noted, LED firms have been adopting strategies such as simplifying components and shortening product life. These strategies may result in 20% lower efficiency and shorter product life, but the lower prices may stimulate consumers to switch to LED light bulbs.