L Prize Competition Overview
The Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007 directs the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) to establish the Bright Tomorrow Lighting Prizes (L Prize) competition. The L Prize competition is the first government-
sponsored technology competition designed to spur development of ultra-efficient solid-state lighting products to replace the common light bulb.
The legislation challenges industry to develop replacement technologies for two of today's most widely used and inefficient technologies: 60W incandescent lamps and PAR 38 halogen lamps. It also calls for development of a 21st Century Lamp that delivers more than 150 lm/W. The competition will award significant cash prizes, plus opportunities for federal purchasing agreements, utility programs, and other incentives for winning products.
Competition Requirements
To draw on lessons learned from past lighting market introduction experiences, DOE approached several leading California utilities to tap their deep expertise in developing a comprehensive technology competition program. The L Prize competition includes technical specifications to ensure compliance with the general requirements outlined in the legislation, with additional details specified for quality, performance, and mass manufacturing.
The competition also includes a rigorous evaluation process for proposed products, designed to detect and address product weaknesses before market introduction, to avoid problems with long-term market acceptance. Comprehensive product evaluation will include performance and lifetime testing conducted by independent laboratories, field assessments conducted in collaboration with utilities and other partners, and stress testing under extreme conditions. Learn more >.
Product Promotion
Four California utilities — Pacific Gas & Electric, Sacramento Municipal Utility District, San Diego Gas & Electric, and Southern California Edison — have signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the DOE, agreeing to work cooperatively to promote high-efficiency solid-state lighting technologies. These utility leaders have provided valuable input to the competition planning process and are prepared to conduct field assessments to evaluate products in real-world conditions.
Program partners will play an important role in promoting and developing markets for the winning L Prize products. Product promotions might include utility incentives, collaborative marketing and educational campaigns, retail partnerships, and demonstrations. Energy efficiency program partners from other states and regions, in addition to California, will be invited to participate in product evaluation and promotion of the winning L Prize products. Learn more >
Opportunities for Recognition
The L Prize competition will offer numerous opportunities for recognition. All competitors and program partners will be in the media spotlight, both on the L Prize website and in national, trade, and regional publications.
