Time to Sell Green the SSL Solution

Green Building Design has become a worldwide movement, representing about 10 percent of commercial construction in 2006 and embraced by the International Code Council. 

Green building is the practice of increasing the efficiency and environmental compatibility with which buildings and their sites harvest and use energy, water and materials throughout the complete building life cycle from initial siting to ultimate demolition.  The rationale can’t be denied.  The U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) notes that commercial and residential buildings in the United States consume more than 62 percent of electricity, 36 percent of total oil and gas, and contribute 30 percent of “greenhouse gas” emissions. 

While many elements of building design contribute to the green imperative, transforming lighting from conventional to solid-state represents a substantial share of the potential benefits.  Specifying SSL systems can help the architect and developer achieve coveted “green” recognition, such as:

• LEED™ Credits.  Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED)™ green building rating system, specified by many federal and local codes, awards credit points for reducing light pollution, increased energy efficiency and controllability of the lighting system in relation to daylighting – all of which play to the advantages of SSL lighting.
• GBI “Green Globes” Rating System.  The Green Globes™ environmental assessment and rating system for commercial buildings, developed by the Green Building Initiative™ (GBI), may become an American National Standard.  Designers can score points for minimizing light pollution and energy consumption
• Energy Star® Qualification.  SSL is a prime candidate for the U.S. Department of Energy’s EnergyStar program, and DOE is developing performance requirements for SSL Luminaries.
• Restriction of Hazardous Substances Directive (RoHS).  Unlike HID or fluorescent lamps that contain potentially harmful gases, phosphors or mercury, LED lighting uses no hazardous substances and produces no hazardous waste in their production, use or ultimate disposal.
• California Title 24 Requirements.  Title 24, Part 6, of the 2005 California Code of Regulations, Energy Efficiency Standards for Residential and Nonresidential Buildings, require fixture designs that limit light pollution and prescribe lighting efficiencies of at least 60 lm/W.  LED lighting is referenced in the standard.