After nearly two years of development, the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) has released the finalized Energy Star criteria for solid-state, general-purpose luminaires. The criteria for the voluntary energy efficiency labeling program will be effective starting September 30, 2008, contingent upon finalization of related standards and test procedures. DOE has played an integral role in the development of the Energy Star specifications for residential, commercial, industrial and outdoor solid-state lighting applications of all types, as well as for innovative solid-state lighting applications and products. The Energy Star Requirements for Solid-State Luminaires can be downloaded in PDF format at www.netl.doe.gov/ssl/energy_star.html.

In other DOE-related solid-state lighting news, the Lighting For Tomorrow competition (co-sponsored by DOE) selected three LED products for its Solid State Lighting Fixtures category winners. The grand prize category winner was LED Lighting Fixtures Inc.’s LR6 Downlight. Finelite’s personal lighting system and Progress Lighting’s Strata wall lantern were named winners. Two of Justice Design Group’s LED wall sconces were given honorable mention. The Lighting for Tomorrow competition is organized and co-sponsored by the American Lighting Association and the Consortium for Energy Efficiency. For more on the winners, visit www.lightingfortomorrow.com.