Currently few, if any, luminaires exist that have been specifically developed to take advantage of the unique size and optical characteristics of LEDs. Because LEDs are a newly emerging light source, traditional luminaire manufacturers have been apprehensive to develop products because they lack a complete understanding of the technology and its performance characteristics.

Luminaires for the applications selected for this project (including, but not limited to, retail displays, under cabinet lighting, and under shelf lighting) traditionally use halogen or incandescent lighting technologies. These lighting technologies are inefficient, heat producing, and short-lived light sources.

LEDs have a potential to improve on these technologies because of their small size, cooler operation, and potentially longer life.