DOE offers lighting competition

The Bright Tomorrow Lighting Prize competition encourages the development of high-quality, high-efficiency solid-state lighting products to replace the common light bulb. The competition will award cash prizes (as much as $20 million) and may lead to opportunities for federal purchasing agreements, utility programs, and other incentives.

By Consulting Specifying Engineer Staff June 19, 2008

The U.S.Dept. of Energy (DOE) encourages engineers and manufacturers to enter its Bright Tomorrow Lighting Prize competition. This competition encourages the development of high-quality, high-efficiency solid-state lighting products to replace the common light bulb.

The competition will award cash prizes (as much as $20 million) and may lead to opportunities for federal purchasing agreements, utility programs, and other incentives. The exact amount of cash prizes for each category will be determined based on DOE Congressional appropriations and supplemental contributions from foundations and utilities.

Four major 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 input to the competition planning process and are prepared to implement incentives and promotions to stimulate additional sales for the award-winning products.