L Prize
The L Prize was a prize competition established by the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) in 2008. Its primary goal was to spur the development of high-efficiency, high-quality solid-state lighting (SSL) technologies, specifically LED-based replacements for traditional 60-watt incandescent light bulbs.
The competition aimed to encourage innovation in LED lighting technology and accelerate its adoption by consumers and businesses. The L Prize sought to identify a viable LED replacement that would significantly reduce energy consumption, last longer, and provide comparable or superior light quality compared to conventional incandescent bulbs.
Key requirements for L Prize winners included:
- High Energy Efficiency: Substantially lower energy consumption than incandescent bulbs.
- Long Lifespan: Significantly longer operational life to reduce replacement frequency.
- Excellent Light Quality: Comparable or superior color rendering and light output compared to incandescent bulbs.
- Compliance with Industry Standards: Adherence to relevant safety and performance standards.
The competition involved rigorous testing and evaluation of submitted LED lighting products. The L Prize aimed to stimulate technological advancement in solid-state lighting and promote energy savings on a national scale. Philips Lighting North America won the 60-watt replacement category in 2011. There was also a 20-watt replacement prize, which was not awarded as no entrants met the stringent criteria. The L Prize officially ended in 2016.