With a wide variety of lighting applications and benefits, solid-state lighting (SSL) represents the next generation of lighting solutions. SSL has been around for over 50 years, and has been present in traffic lights, exit signs, and even flashlights for the past 20 years. Research is showing an increase on uses in both commercial and even home lighting, and with a predicted growth rate of 34% per year through 2016, solid-state lighting will represent 60% of the lighting market by the end of the decade.

What is Solid State Lighting?

A solid-state lighting (SSL) application uses light-emitting diodes (LEDs) or organized light-emitting diodes (OLEDs) that convert semi-conductors into light, whereas incandescent and florescent light bulbs use filaments or gases to emit light. LED lights make for a better-quality light output while exerting less energy to do so.

What are some benefits of Solid State Lighting?

More Durable

With no filaments to break or bulbs that can burst with vibrations, LEDs are definitely an improvement when it comes to the durability of lighting options.

Improved Energy Efficiency

With nearly three times the luminous efficacy over incandescent lighting and even more when considering colored LEDs, solid state lighting provides unmatched energy benefits to traditional alternatives.

Application Flexibility

LEDs are much smaller in size, allowing for greater flexibility in small and odd spaces. While the popularity of LEDs today is largely determined by their energy efficiency, down the road, when other lighting options match that benefit, LEDs are expected to hold a steady portion of the market share due to their flexibility.

Safety

LEDs have a very low voltage, and are cool to the touch. This prevents safety hazards such as fires or burns that can be caused by some lighting options that are popular currently.

Longer Lifespan

With 50,000 hours of life for every LED versus roughly 1,000 hours in a standard fluorescent light bulb, this one is a no-brainer. Less maintenance, less replacement costs, and a significant ROI.

What are some of the growing uses of SSL applications?

Roadway Lighting

LEDs are becoming more present on the streets, replacing traditional street lamps with an energy-efficient, longer-term solution. These LED roadway lights can already be found lining streets both in cities and suburbs, especially along expressways and interstates.

Parking Lots and Garages

Due to their ability to provide a more focused and direct light, LEDs provide an additional benefit of safety to what can often be dark, unsafe places such as parking lots and garages. The brighter, more directed light helps to better illuminate areas that could be harder to reach for other lighting applications. In addition, the energy efficiency of LEDs prevents them from having to be replaced on a regular basis. This can mean big savings when it comes to maintenance costs.

Billboards

LEDs provide a more energy efficient solution for lighting outdoor billboards while also maintaining dark-sky luminance compliancy. Billboard LEDs also require much less maintenance, with a life expectancy of around 12 years.