LED maker Bridgelux targets general lighting

At the current rate of technology development, it's possible that LED replacements for 60-watt incandescent bulbs could drop below $10 by the end of this year, said Mark Swoboda, the president of LED maker Bridgelux.

Although technically feasible, that six- or eight-fold price drop is not likely to happen. Swoboda figures that price could only be reached in the case of a lighting company selling directly to a customer.

One of Bridgelux's coin-size arrays, which are designed for a range of lighting applications.

(Credit: Bridgelux)

Still, prices are falling and efficiency is improving. Bridgelux on Wednesday is set to introduce a line of LED arrays which can be used in different applications, such as household lightbulbs, down lights, and street and commercial lighting.

With the new line of LEDs, the amount of light per watt has improved by over 30 percent in the past year and the costs have fallen between 10 percent and 30 percent, Swoboda said.

"Our core technology has improved to the point where it can deliver a light source that makes it very easy for a lamp or luminaire company to meet or exceed requirements to meet EnergyStar or (California's lighting efficiency standard) Title 24," Swoboda said.

Silicon Valley-based Bridgelux, which recruited former Seagate CEO Bill Watkins as chief executive officer earlier this month, makes the lighting components needed to make an LED bulb or lamp. It uses indium gallium nitride treated with phosphorus as its semiconductor material, which Swoboda said offers a good-quality light at relatively low costs.

In terms of energy efficiency, he said that lights using its LED chips exceed the efficiency of compact florescent lighting and have the advantage of lasting longer.

Its latest line of arrays range in output from 240 lumens to over 4,500 lumens, making them suitable for both general consumer lighting and commercial applications, such as retail stores. A 60-watt bulb is about 800 lumens and a 150-watt bulb is about 2,000.

[solitare_pax]

Very cool - I stopped purchasing florescents when I heard this was in the works, so if the price-point would drop some more, I would happily consider purchasing some.

[LEDGUY]

I totally disagree with a comment Mr Swoboda said - insinuating that LED's would only reach this target $10 price if he removed distribution. The fact is - even if the light is sold direct to an end user, there are huge costs involved - in fact, in many cases - higher costs than inserting distribution. Who's going to market the product, stock the product, deliver the product and support the product? Are you suggesting this all magically happens at zero cost?

Distribution plays a crucial role in the adoption of LED lighting and will continue to in the future. This is a somewhat reckless statement in my (humble) opinion.

[Fisher_SSL]

I don't think that Mr. Swoboda is talking about cutting out distribution. Rather he's talking about reducing the number of components and manufacturing steps used to make lighting products. The Bridgelux strategy is to increase the system-level integration of lighting products. Integrating individual LEDs into a single light source that produces enough light for a full range of different light bulbs or lighting products.

This reduces product cost and complexity. Once you achieve a high level of integration you can get closer to the current light bulb marketing model. GE manufactures a bulb and distributes it directly through Walmart.

[sslPro]

As someone in the SSL industry ( Mfg Rep ) your post is 100% correct - these facts don't resonate with
the end using masses. Good R+ D take money - IP costs ei legal are part of the total cost picture.
Mr S is knowledgable but I really doubt they will get to that $10. mark for an 60 watt A-19 till 2012 or 13.
High quality trumps bargain prices -as seen by Costco's bad move with the sub standard SSL products,
Lights of America garbage-

[Luckylightcn]

Hey! guy,

Luckylight electronic Co.Ltd from China, a manufacturer of LED component and lighting products found in 1990.
Should you want to know more about our company, pls visit www.luckylightled.com.

Call me, let's talk details.

Regards
Cindy Lee

MSN: [e-mail]
Skype: luckylightled
E-mail: [e-mail]
Tel: [phone]
Fax:[phone]

[HamLoring]

I converted to CFLs where ever possible and I will convert to LEDs when the relative purchase cost increase between LEDs and CFLs approaches that which existed between CFLs and incandescents when I converted from incandescents. While the light quality suffers in some cases, I have seen a major reduction in my electrical bill.

There are a few places, however, that will remain the province for old fashioned incandescent bulbs--decorative (clear lamps, pseudo flame, candelabra , dimmable mood, etc); super high or super low temperature environments (ovens, freezers) high intensity (security floodlights, fire, police, rescue spotlights, projectors); and others I haven't thought of.

[jkosborn4]

I bought 2 90 watt replacements for $25 several months ago at Sam's Club and see several 2 packs of 60 watt replacements for $20. So we have already reached that price point. Unless I'm missing something there.

These are LED bulbs that will screw into a standard light fixture.

[SteveChicago]

manufacture direct to consumer. That has been a dream of mine for years. No more having to put up with what the middleman thinks I want to buy.

[Luckylightcn]

Hey,guy,

Luckylight electronic Co.Ltd from China, a manufactuer of LED component and lighting products found in 1990.
Should you wanna know more about our company, pls visit www.luckylightled.com.

Call me ,let's talk details.

Regards
Cindy Lee

MSN: [e-mail]
Skype: luckylightled
E-mail: [e-mail]
Tel: [phone]
Fax:[phone]
Website: www.luckylightled.com

[ashokp10]

LED LIGHTING WILL DEFINATELY REPLACE THE CFL TECHNOLOGY IN THE YEAR 2010 ITSELF.AS I REMEMBER IN 1995 ,I HAD BEEN TO UK AND CONCIDENTL MET WITH A GERMAN GUY IN THE MADAM TUSSSAD MUSIAM ?.IN OUR CONVERSATION I LEARNET THAT THIS GUY WAS FROM OSRAM GERMANY AND I ENQUIRED HIM ABOT THE SO HIGH PRICE OF THE CFL LAMP'S? .OBVIOUSLY IT WAS R & D EXPENSES & FURTHER INFORMED REG NEW DEVELOPMENTS INCLUDING LED.?

WHEN I RETURENED TO INDIA I PURCHASED 4 LAMPS ( AT THAT TIME COSTING INR 500 A PIECE ? TODAY IT COST ONLY 20 %.FOR LAST 4 YEAR'S I AM 100% USING CFL LIGHTING.
ASHOK S PUNTAMBEKAR
B-220,SECTOR-20
ROURKELA 769005
STATE- ORISSA
INDIA

[andreaevans007]

I would be <a href="http://www.louielighting.com/" rel="nofollow">interested</a> in reviewing this

[Luckylightcn]

For small orders, the shipment is a problem