Industry Leaders Integrate LED Products and Controls for Maximum Energy Efficiency
DURHAM,N.C.,May 07,2012(BUSINESS WIRE)--The growing demand for energy-efficient LED lighting solutions combined with increasingly stringent energy and building codes require an advanced level of Lighting and control integration.Cree,Inc.announces a first-of-its-kind agreement with Lutron Electronics Co.,Inc.to embed Lutron EcoSystem(R)technology on a chip in Cree(R)luminaires to accelerate LED adoption and increase energy efficiency for building designers,contractors and owners.
The combination of industry-leading LED technology from Cree with proven energy control strategies from Lutron yields the world's most energy-efficient commercial troffer lighting control and delivery system.The solution introduces digital intelligence to the control of Cree LED luminaires and delivers integrated,pre-tested system compatibility that is backed by the Lutron Services Company to ensure performance of the system as a whole.
"With this alliance,we set out to fix a problem.It breaks new ground for LED fixtures and control systems--turning compatibility into a feature,not a challenge,"said Gary Trott,vice president of market development,Cree lighting."An integrated system can increase performance across the board--efficiency,lifetime and payback--it just works."
By using Lutron energy management solutions,Cree LED lighting can significantly reduce building owners operating costs and continue to deliver the fastest payback in the industry.Cree LED fixtures are an ideal match for embedded Lutron EcoSystem technology because digital control and dimming of LED fixtures can significantly extend LED lifetime,and also allow flexibility to reconfigure and improve occupant experience in any space.
"Working with Cree,we're able to expand our system networks by combining their innovation and leadership in the LED arena with our 50-year history as a leader in light control and total building solutions,"said Eric Lind,vice president of global specifications at Lutron."This capability of enabling Lutron EcoSystem technology by embedding a chip into the driver of an LED luminaire eliminates concerns about system compatibility,brings digital intelligence to the control of LEDs,and showcases Lutron's open networks.Lutron EcoSystem controls have the ability to directly connect to Lutron's complete line of wired and wireless systems as well as other building protocols,such as BACnet,to allow seamless control and energy saving capability for our customers."
"Cree's ability to work seamlessly with our installed Lutron EcoSystem controls was instrumental in our choice of LED lighting,"said Dr.Mitchel Rosen,chief technology officer,School of Engineering and Applied Science,University of Virginia.
According to Cree analysis,Cree CR Troffers equipped with Lutron EcoSystem technology can increase luminaire lifetime up to 50 percent and substantially increase lumen maintenance factors.This calculation is for typical buildings with Lutron lighting control systems,where the average output level of troffers is around 70 percent when typical lighting efficiency strategies such as daylight harvesting,personal control and high-end trim are used.
The first products to feature embedded Lutron EcoSystem technology are the Cree CR Series of LED troffers with other products to follow.Cree LED fixtures embedded with Lutron EcoSystem technology are scheduled for specification and shipment in summer 2012.
About Cree
Cree is leading the LED lighting revolution and making energy-wasting traditional lighting technologies obsolete through the use of energy-efficient,mercury-free LED lighting.Cree is a market-leading innovator of lighting-class LEDs,LED lighting,and semiconductor products for power and radio-frequency(RF)applications.
Cree's product families include LED fixtures and bulbs,blue and green LED chips,high-brightness LEDs,lighting-class power LEDs,power-switching devices and RF devices.Cree products are driving improvements in applications such as general illumination,electronic signs and signals,power supplies and solar inverters.
For additional product and company information,please refer to www.CreeLEDLighting.com.To learn more about the LED Lighting Revolution,please visit www.creeledrevolution.com.
About Lutron Electronics(www.lutron.com)
Lutron Electronics,headquartered in Coopersburg,Pennsylvania,designs and manufactures energy-saving light controls,automated window treatments and appliance modules for both residential and commercial applications.Its innovative,intuitive products can be used to control everything from a single light,to every light,shade and even stand-by power in a home or commercial building.Lutron products make any space more versatile,while enhancing ambiance,comfort and productivity.They also save energy and make light bulbs last longer,making them an eco-friendly addition to the home and workplace.Founded in 1961,Lutron estimates that the installed base of its products saves the nation nearly 10 billion kWh of electricity,or approximately$1 billion in utility costs per year.Lutron manufactures more than 16,000 energy-saving products,sold in more than 100 countries around the world.
This press release contains forward-looking statements involving risks and uncertainties,both known and unknown,that may cause actual results to differ materially from those indicated.Actual results may differ materially due to a number of factors,including the risk that actual savings will vary from expectations,customer acceptance of LED products;the rapid development of new technology and competing products that may impair demand or render Cree's products obsolete;and other factors discussed in Cree's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission,including its report on Form 10-K for the year ended June 26,2011,and subsequent filings.
