The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) has revised the L Prize PAR38 competition requirements based on feedback from lighting industry experts and data analyzed from the LED Lighting Facts program. The competition spurs leading-edge companies to build innovative LED replacements for conventional PAR38 lamps, commonly known as spot or flood lamps, which are in widespread use in retail businesses and as outdoor security lights and track lights.
The PAR38 changes are designed to keep driving innovation toward the challenging L Prize targets, particularly efficacy, but better reflect existing market realities. They are: A slightly broader beam angle up to 15 will be allowed. The requirement for production of at least 250,000 units in the first year has been dropped. The requirement for U.S.-produced LED chips has been dropped; final assembly of the lamp must take place in the U.S.
Established by Congress in the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007 and launched by DOE in 2008, the L Prize competition challenges industry to develop high-performance, ultra-efficient LED alternatives for two of the most widely used light bulbs: 60W incandescent lamps and PAR38 halogen lamps. The first L Prize was awarded in the 60W category in August 2011, and the winning product hit retail store shelves in spring 2012.
