Answered Questions

Post Date: October 21, 2008

Question: Does the chip have to be manufactured in the US to be eligible to enter? Can it be produced elsewhere, but if it wins, then it will need to be produced in the US?

Answer: In order to be eligible for the competition, the LED die or chip submitted in a product entry must be manufactured in the United States. It can not be produced elsewhere, regardless of the ultimate intent for production.

Post Date: August 11, 2008

Question: The document that I have (from May 28th, 2008) says that "Power supply shall have a Class A sound rating." I presume from the wording that this refers to the ballast. However, I have recently seen LED lights using a fan. I wonder if you consider a fan to be part of the power supply? I would have thought the noise specification should be for the entire bulb. If not, it would seem that the L-prize could be awarded to a device with a very high noise level, as long as the noise is not generated by the ballast, perhaps a noise level like that associated with desktop computers. Would you care to clarify on this subject?

Answer: Products submitted under the L Prize are intended to be replacement lamps. As such, entry products are expected to produce no more noise than the products they are intended to replace. In addition, any cooling strategies employed in the entry products must be incorporated into the maximum allowable dimensions specified in the technical performance specification. All power requirements for product cooling will be included in the overall product wattage calculations.

Post Date: July 16, 2008

Question: In the L Prize Competition Requirements document page 4, the dimensions is confusing to me. "Product size and shape shall fit within the maximum dimensions and form factor of an A19 bulb in accordance with ANSI C78.20-2003, figure C78.20-211." From ANSI C78.20-2003, I am not sure from the specs as it called for.

Page 11, line number 30- figure C78.20-211 calls for the following: Maximum Overall Length (MOL) 112.7 mm (4 7/16 inches), Light Center Length (LCL) 79.4 ± 4.8 mm (3 1/8 ± 3/16 inches). But Page 23, the mechanic drawing of this bulb figure C78.20-211 calls for: MOL 112.7 mm (4 7/16 inches), 69.5 mm DIAMETER. The two dimensions are different AND HAVE ABOUT 10 mm discrepancy. Can you tell me which one is correct?

Answer: The federal legislation authorizing the L Prize competition, and the competition rules, only reference Figure C78.20-211. They do not reference Table 1 of ANSI C78.20-2003. The envelope dimensions, as provided in Figure C78.20-211, provide details about the maximum dimensions and form factor required for the 60 watt incandescent replacement lamp. Light Center Length , as described in Table 1, provides dimensions for location of the filament (or light field if not a filament lamp). The location of the light source is not a requirement for the competition. However, light field location is a factor that the entrant should consider in meeting requirements for luminous intensity distribution. For the purposes of this competition, Figure C78.20-211 is meant to provide maximum allowable dimensions and form factor only.

Question: Our chip contains the integration of epi and phosphor. The phosphor conversion efficiency is a critical part of the chip efficiency. If our chips are produced with the combination of the phosphors that are produced in the US, and epis that are produced outside of US, does it qualify the eligibility?

Answer: The eligibility requirements for the competition are such that the LED die or chip, as the solid-state light emitting component of the LED lamp, must be manufactured in the US. Thus, epitaxial material manufactured in the US would qualify for the competition. However, phosphor systems are not considered to be an integral part of the epitaxy. LED chips containing epitaxial material made outside the US and phosphors produced in the US would not qualify the LED chip under the eligibility requirements. The specific light emitting portion of the LED must be manufactured in the US.

Post Date: July 15, 2008

Question: I like the L-Prize program very much. Curious as to whether the SSL group might ever do a program/prize for SSL controls?

Answer: The intent of the competition, as provided in the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007 (EISA), is for integrated SSL lamps. "Integrated" includes all components: optics, devices, and electronics. Competition for individual components of the SSL lamp has not been authorized by Congressional language.

Post Date: July 2, 2008

Question: Is the competition for LED products or any other light sourcing to meet the request?

Answer: The Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007 (EISA) requires the product entries for the L Prize competition be solid-state lighting. Solid-state lighting can be defined as light emitting diodes (LED) or organic light emitting diodes (OLEDs). No other light sources qualify for the competition. Of the two, the DOE believes that LEDs have the greatest potential for meeting the objectives of the 60 watt incandescent and PAR 38 competition categories.

Post Date: June 23, 2008

Question: To further clarify the requirement of eligibility, in a previous answer, you stated:

It is a requirement for the competition that the epitaxial LED material be manufactured in the US; production reactors are to be physically located in the US. Substrate material is not required to be made in the US. The DOE believes that multiple companies have the ability to make epitaxial LED structures domestically for this competition and believes that this material will be available to all on a commercial basis, either as bare epitaxial material or as packaged components.

For the statement of "epitaxial LED material be manufactured in the US", does it mean that the LEDs used in the LED lamp submitted for L-Prize competition must fabricated in the US, or does it mean that the company who entered the competition has epitaxial LED material manufacturing facility in the US. Because many companies are now international organizations. The R&D and manufacturing activities are globally located, and cooperated. We may not used one septic equipment to produce one product entered in the competition, but may have multiple facilities to engage in the process and advancement. Can we still qualify?

Answer: The requirement is that the LED die or chip, submitted as a component of an entry product under this competition, must be manufactured in the US. If a product submitted contains US manufactured dice or chips, then it is an eligible entry for the competition. Further, entrants (the entity which submits a product to the competition) must be incorporated in and maintain a primary place of business in the United States; and in the case of an individual, (whether participating as a single individual or in a group), the individual shall be a citizen or a lawful permanent resident of the United States.

Question: Would the following scenario meet eligibility requirements for the L-Prize?

Initial R&D and manufacture of the 2000 submissions be done in co-operation with an overseas company.
Subsequent Manufacturing in USA located plant owned by USA incorporation.

Answer: The competition requires that the LED die or chip for entries be manufactured in the US. There is no requirement for other components or assembly of components for the entry product. However, the entrant which submits the SSL product is required to be incorporated in and maintain a primary place of business in the United States; or must be a US citizen or lawful permanent resident in the case of an individual. Thereby, the above scenario may or may not qualify depending on the manufacture of the LED die or chip and the incorporation status of the entrant.

Post Date: June 19, 2008

Question: I was wondering if you had any more info regarding the 21st Century Lamp competition? Is there a mailing list I can get on to get notification of the competition starting?

Answer: It is anticipated that the 21st Century Lamp category will be opening approximately mid-2009. The performance specifications, as called out in the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007, require a higher performance level compared to the 60-watt incandescent and PAR 38 categories. For example, EISA language requires "greater than 150 lumens per watt." Additional performance details can be found in Section 655 of the EISA. You may sign up for notifications for all DOE SSL related news items at www.netl.doe.gov/ssl under "Register for Updates."

Post Date: June 12, 2008

Question: Current products available on the market have disappointing dimming capabilities. Will the competition be structured to award any capability for dimming?

Answer: As a complete replacement lamp for A10 and PAR38, the competition recognizes the importance of dimming capabilities. As such, the technical performance specifications for the lamps require continuous dimming to at least 25% of maximum light output without visible flickering. In addition, the lamp products are required to be compatible with at least three (3) widely available residential dimmers. Dimming is a requirement for the competition and will be evaluated on a pass/fail basis, as are other technical performance specifications.

Question: I just went through the L Prize material and I was hoping someone could expand on the actual prize. As far as I can tell, the 1st prize winner will receive a cash award, federal govenment procurement opportunities, utility incentives, and promotion opportunities but the paperwork does not provide any specifics (such as what the actual cash prize will be). Therefore, any additional insight is greatly appreciated. Thank you.

Answer: Subject to the availability of funds, the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007 (EISA); Subtitle E; Section 655, provides for cash prizes in the amounts of $10,000,000 for the first successful product in the 60-watt incandescent lamp category and $5,000,000 for the first successful product in each of the PAR 38 and 21^st Century Lamp categories. Actual cash prizes are subject to the availability of appropriated funding from future appropriations and private funding contributions as authorized by the EISA. The EISA also provides for the Federal government to work towards developing purchasing guidelines for the potential procurement of the first successful products in the 60-watt incandescent and PAR 38 replacement lamp categories. The Federal procurement may be based on a potential return on investment for the individual products, as provided for in the EISA.

In addition to prizes authorized by the EISA, the DOE is collaborating with several Energy Efficiency Partners. As a result, and subject to selection and negotiation with the individual partners, up to three products from each category may participate in promotion activities for market development. Consideration for EPP promotions and incentives are voluntary. Promotions activities may include the following:

product incentives paid directly to manufacturers or to customers
collaborative marketing and promotion

print, radio, TV, and online advertisement
point of purchase information
educational materials
training

partnerships with local, regional, and/or national retailers
demonstrations and promotions with local homebuilders, commercial developers, hospitality chains, local government, schools, universities, etc.

Finally, products successfully meeting the technical performance specifications will earn the right to carry the ENERGY STAR SSL label, saving them the effort of retesting the product specifically for ENERGY STAR. Participation is voluntary and will be subject to guidelines of ENERGY STAR SSL.

Question: Why is the competition limited to LED sources? The competition has made the mistake of specifying a path rather than a result? (posted on June 12, 2008)

Answer:The competition was authorized by the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007 (EISA). This legislaton established the framework for the competition. Specifics can be found in Subtitle E; Section 655.

Question: Please explain the difference between the Lighting for Tomorrow design competition and the Bright Tomorrow Lighting competition (L Prize).

Answer: The L Prize competition, authorized by the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007 (EISA), is intended to encourage development and deployment of highly energy efficient solid-state lighting (SSL) products to replace several of the most common lighting products currently used in the United States, including 60-watt A19 incandescent and PAR 38 halogen incandescent lamps. The competition is technology performance based. The EISA provides for cash prizes and potential Federal procurement of winners.

The Lighting for Tomorrow design competition recognizes innovative, attractive, energy-efficient residential lighting design. The competition is a design competition with merit given to energy efficiency. Winners of this competition earn the right to carry the title of winning the competition and are promoted as such. This year, the DOE launched the new Next Generation Luminaires design competition recognizing excellence in the design of energy-efficient LED commercial lighting luminaires. Winners of this competition also earn the right to carry the title of winning the competition and are promoted as such.

Question: On the L-prize the requirement sheet clearly states 1) The LED die or chip, defined as the solid-state semiconductor material that . . . . MUST be manufactured in the United States. Do both substrates and epi need to be manufactured in the United States i.e. - this refers specifically to where the production reactors are located for epi-growth - correct? Would you agree that there is the only one qualifying company to use here for die?

Answer: It is a requirement for the competition that the epitaxial LED material be manufactured in the US; production reactors are to be physically located in the US. Substrate material is not required to be made in the US. The DOE believes that multiple companies have the ability to make epitaxial LED structures domestically for this competition and believes that this material will be available to all on a commercial basis, either as bare epitaxial material or as packaged components.

To find more on these competitions, visit http://www.netl.doe.gov/ssl/competitions.html.