Lighting consumes more than 10% of the total electrical energy production world-wide. Creating technology to effectively reduce the negative environmental impact of electrical light is critical.
Incandescent lighting, the most widely used lighting source, wastes 90% of the energy supplied in the form of heat. However, advanced electronic lighting technologies can significantly improve the energy efficiency of lighting by maximizing daylight and creating more productive and comfortable environments. Our focus here is on fluorescent lighting and solid state lighting (high-brightness LEDs)
By Dr. Michael Weirich, Fairchild Semiconductor Corp. A key question facing semiconductor suppliers is what lighting source will be dominant? Will it be CFL, LFL or will consumers continue with the incandescent lamp. In all of these options, there are differences in cost and considerations that need to be taken in terms of longer life and energy efficiency savings.