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Helping create new lighting technologies and products

Retrofit CFL
Downlight System

Concept:

Develop an easy-to-install compact fluorescent downlight for use in existing commercial and residential downlight applications.

Solution:

Working in close partnership with Lithonia Lighting and SMUD, the California Lighting Technology Center under contract to Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory is developing a simple retrofit strategy for fluorescent downlights with flexible optical head mounting, 2-lamp ballast, low glare reflector optics, and simplified wiring.

Progress on the retrofit system has been delayed until late 2004. These units will be installed in a number of demonstration sites in the Sacramento area. The retrofit product is expected to be introduced into the market in mid-2005.

Under a previous PIER research project, a downlight system for residential new construction applications was developed. The system, now available from Lithonia, has been installed in numerous new homes and four California homebuilders are introducing the systems in their homes. SMUD has been instrumental in working with the homebuilders regarding this innovative downlighting system, which provides quality light, saves energy, and simplifies the installation.

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