International SSL Activities

The Lighting Research Center has extended its reach and is working around the world to develop energy-efficient and effective lighting practice in such places as Latin America, India, South Korea, Taiwan, Lithuania, United Kingdom, Germany, Finland, Australia, China, Philippines, and Sri Lanka.  In its global activities, the LRC provides information, technical training and guidance, and works to bring together public and private enterprises to focus on solutions to increase consumer accessibility to safe and energy-efficient lighting, particularly LED lighting systems that can work fluidly with off-grid or on-site renewable energy power generation systems.

Below are the LRC’s international solid-state and LED lighting projects:

Supporting South Asia Through LED Lighting Technology

In 2009, the LRC was selected as the primary knowledge partner of the Regional Centre for Lighting (RCL) in South Asia, a Sri Lanka-based lighting research facility funded by the U.S. Agency for International Development and the Sri Lanka Sustainable Energy Authority. The RCL’s mission is to advance sustainable lighting and make it affordable to improve the well-being of the citizens and the eight countries within the region. The LRC has helped to develop education, training, and research programs at the RCL, as well coordinate collaborative initiatives with industry to foster regional manufacturing and job growth. The LRC also is assisting the RCL in designing its new SSL lighting technology testing facilities.

Lighting Africa, a joint program of the ICF and The World Bank, is aimed at helping 250 million people in Sub-Saharan Africa gain access to non-fossil fuel-based, low cost, high quality, safe, and reliable lighting products by the year 2030. The LRC is supporting the project through lab testing for quality assurance of off-grid lighting products developed by manufacturers for the Lighting Africa program.

Cooperation on LED Measurement Standards

The LRC is helping to forge a collaboration between the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Energy Star program and China’s National Lighting Test Centre. Efforts under this collaboration include the development of China-based testing facilities for LEDs that meet international standards; test procedure harmonization and lab certification; and mutual membership in joint LED research projects at the LRC.

Testing Facility Assessments

LRC experts in lighting laboratory and testing facilities traveled to the Philippines to assess the accredited lighting test labs there. Following the visit, LRC staff provided recommendations on laboratory setup and photometric and electrical equipment in order for the Philippines’ labs to meet requirements for LM-79 and LM-80 approved LED testing.

LED Training Programs

The LRC has conducted multiple-day training programs on LED lighting systems, applications and test methods for scientists and lab technicians at China’s National Lighting Test Centre and Taiwan’s Industrial Technology Research Institute (ITRI).