LED lights to cost low

The Bureau of Energy Efficiency (BEE) is targeting potential bulk users to generate a market for energy efficient lighting products. It is in talks with the army, central government departments and Indian Railways to increase the sales. To create a market for the energy-efficient LED-based lighting products, the Bureau of Energy Efficiency (BEE) is targeting potential bulk users. It is talking to the Army, the Indian Railways and Central Government departments with the aim of driving up volumes. This move will translate to lower prices for the LED technology which is considered the future of lighting. With an assured market in place, manufacturers can be induced to adopt the LED technology and fast track the switchover to this new lighting format.      With an assured market in place, manufacturers can be induced to adopt the LED technology and fast track the switchover to this new lighting format. The bureau is aiming to make LED cost-effective for the future generation to benefit. A 15-W LED light, that used to cost well over Rs.1,500 about 12 months ago, will now be available for around Rs. 500 in the market. To speed up the transition, a testing facility for LED lights is being set up at the Central Power Research Institute (CPRI). The push is aimed at LEDs breaching the price barrier, even as a gradual switchover from incandescent bulbs to CFLs (compact fluorescent lamps) for domestic lighting is under way. The LED lamp is essentially a solid state lighting device that utilises light emitting diodes as a source of illumination instead of electrical filaments or gas. Besides being small, hardy, highly energy-efficient and long-lasting, LED lamps do not have the mercury content issue associated with CFLs. While LED lamps, till recently, were limited only to single-bulb use in applications such as instrument panels and electronics, subsequent improvements in technology have widened their application. The BEE has already started a project aimed at providing financial support for implementation of the LED-based street lighting in 23 municipalities and an LED village campaign as demonstration projects.

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