For better and worse, the lighting industry is largely part of the construction industry. It’s that time of year to look at the residential and commercial construction forecasts for 2024. RESIDENTIAL: The National Association of Realtors (NAR) projects existing-home sales will rise by 13.5% to 4.71 million units sold in 2024, from a total [...]

  I researched for hours trying to get a complete picture of the origins, drivers, products, and claims around “less than 2% blue light.” As long as 6 years ago, Circadian Zirclight claimed their office products switched from conventional blue pump white LEDs during the day, to violet pump white LEDs in the evening for [...]

  The IES has published ANSI/IES RP-47-23 Recommended Practice: Landscape Lighting. The PDF of RP-47 can be purchased online here at $84 for IES members, and $120 for non-members. The chapters include: 1.0 Introduction and Scope 2.0 Definition of Landscape Lighting 3.0 Landscape Lighting Design Process 4.0 Understanding Nature and Human Interactions With Landscape Lighting [...]

    Companies are beginning to produce fiber textiles, also known as biofabric, from fungus mycelium and plant roots. The following are two interesting examples. My Glo produces luminaires (light shades) and other home décor items from fungus mycelium. See the image above and directly below. The mycelium light shades are flame resistant, help clean [...]

  The IRA provides $400 Billion in federal funding for clean energy carbon reduction to address climate change. The IIJA provides $550 Billion in federal funding, over the next 5 years, for infrastructure, including EV charging infrastructure, as well as numerous projects that often include lighting, such as bridges, tunnels, highways, railway improvements, and more. [...]

Here is an early look at 2024 lighting industry events, call-for-speakers, and award programs in 2024: Lightovation: Dallas International Lighting Show – January 10 – 14, 2024, Dallas, TX. Bright Star Awards – Product awards. Now accepting submissions. Final submission deadline is 1/26/24. Website is here. EC&M Product of the Year Awards 2024 – Product [...]

48 volt direct current (48VDC) lighting has been slowly and quietly growing as a trend, over the past 5-10 years. Here are some important things to know. ORIGINS 48VDC power systems originated in the telecommunications industry. Telecom needed efficiency, resiliency during grid outages, and increased safety from shock. The telecom industry invested in the first [...]

National nonresidential construction spending ticked up 0.1% in October to a seasonally adjusted annualized basis of $1.1 trillion, according to a new Associated Builders and Contractors analysis.Manufacturing and infrastructure investments fueled a 0.1% uptick in October, but warehouse and distribution center spending declined. The small gain marks the 17th consecutive month of growth, primarily due to activity [...]

The U.S. DOE Lighting R&D Program has two open funding opportunities: The SBIR Program is looking to fund development of Advanced Lighting Fixtures, horticultural lighting, and germicidal UV solutions. Letters of intent for the SBIR are due Jan. 3. The DOE also has the BENEFIT FOA with concept papers due 12/18/23. SBIR link. The BENEFIT FOA [...]