David Shiller

At a time when many lighting trade publications are closing up shop, it was great to learn of a new lighting publication’s launch, Lighting News Now (LNN), led by industry veteran, Linda Longo, as Editor-in-Chief. The new online publication reports on the decorative residential lighting industry. Given all of the talk and uncertainty around tariffs, [...]

  The DesignLights Consortium (DLC) hosted the 2024 DLC Controls Summit in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, focusing on the integration of networked lighting controls (NLC) with HVAC systems to unlock further energy savings and reduce carbon emissions. The summit brought together manufacturers, lighting experts, and energy efficiency professionals to discuss strategies and resources for advancing NLC-HVAC integration. [...]

The dirtiest little secret in LED lighting is that luminaire lifetime values are nearly meaningless for the vast majority of luminaire manufacturers. Why is this? Two reasons: First, all manufacturers typically report TM-21 LED chip projected lumen maintenance values as the luminaire lifetime. This does not include the driver nor other components. Drivers have historically [...]

Image: Litetronics 120-480V Universal Voltage linear high bay The history of 120-480V LED drivers, particularly those with universal voltage capabilities, is closely tied to the evolution of industrial lighting and power distribution systems. Here’s an overview of their development: Early 2000s: The first LED drivers for constant voltage and current applications were introduced, laying the [...]

EDGE-TO-CLOUD: Edge-to-cloud in building automation systems is a modern computing paradigm that integrates edge devices with centralized cloud infrastructure to optimize building operations and management. This approach combines the benefits of edge computing’s real-time processing capabilities with the cloud’s scalability and advanced analytics. In building automation systems, edge-to-cloud architecture consists of several key components: Edge [...]

  LG unveiled a new “lifestyle projector” at CES 2025, prioritizing aesthetics and versatility over top-tier image quality. The PF600U stands out as a multifunctional device, combining a Full HD projector, Bluetooth speaker, and floor lamp in one package. Weighing 7.5kg, it contains dual speakers and an LED lamp with nine color options and five [...]

  AI agents differ significantly from traditional AI systems in terms of functionality. AI agents possess higher autonomy, making independent decisions without constant human oversight. They adapt and learn continuously, improving their performance over time, while traditional AI systems remain static. AI agents are goal-oriented, focusing on long-term objectives and adjusting strategies as needed, whereas [...]

  Many lighting manufacturers now produce/sell EV chargers, so the EV market now impacts the lighting industry. Global EV sales are expected to continue their strong growth trajectory in 2025. According to Rho Motion, a leading EV research firm, over 20 million electric vehicles are projected to be sold globally in 2025, representing an 18% [...]

  On inauguration day, President Trump issued an executive order to halt disbursements of funding from the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) and Inflation Reduction Act (IRA), causing uncertainty for numerous climate and infrastructure projects. This “Unleashing American Energy” order directs federal agencies to pause and review funding processes for these acts. Scope and [...]