DoE Released New CALiPER Program Results: Round 7 of Product Testing
DoE released CALiPER Program round 7 results. The testing focused on three application areas: outdoor lighting, downlights, and replacement lamps. One series of tests included eight streetlights. The series of tests on nine downlights included a wide range of luminaires that could potentially be used for downlighting. The replacement lamp category included nine different SSL products, including: MR16s, some larger directional lamps (PAR20, PAR30, and PAR38), and A-lamps.
Round 7 of CALiPER testing reveals a steady increase in efficacy, color quality, power factor, and accurate manufacturer reporting for SSL products. Unfortunately there is still a wide range in performance for products on the market today—as evidenced by outdoor SSL streetlight efficacy results varying from 19 to 71 lm/W, and SSL downlight efficacy results ranging from 9 to 48 lm/W. There also are still many inaccurate or misleading claims regarding SSL performance in all product categories, most frequently for replacement lamps
SSL Street Lighting Results:
Two different side-by-side comparisons of like products using different sources have shown compelling results. Direct comparison between a CFL, a MH, and an SSL version of a bollard reveal that the SSL version has better luminaire efficacy than both CFL and MH. This SSL bollard does not have high luminaire efficacy compared to what is possible in SSL products, but it surpasses the CFL and MH versions because of the very high fixture losses they incur. Direct comparison between a CFL and an SSL version of a recessed volumetric downlight reveal that the two versions achieve very similar performance levels in almost every respect.
Downlighting Results:
With test results from nine various downlight products added to earlier CALiPER downlight testing, it is clear that at equal output levels, SSL products surpass incandescent and halogen products in efficacy, and that most SSL products can compete directly with CFL downlights for luminaire efficacy. Warm-white SSL products are now achieving comparable luminaire output levels to downlights equipped with 60 or 75W incandescent sources, and some larger SSL downlights are also performing competitively. Two of the downlight products that were tested could potentially meet ENERGY STAR for SSL criteria for downlight luminaires based on light output, efficacy, light distribution, color characteristics, and power factor.
Replacement Lamps Summary:
While many SSL replacement lamps still suffer from inaccurate performance claims or insufficient color quality, some of the replacement lamps that were tested would nevertheless be competitive when compared with low-wattage incandescent and halogen lamps. The performance of some SSL MR16 lamps is approaching the lower range of 20W halogen MR16 performance, with significantly better efficacy. Similarly, the performance of SSL PAR lamps tested approaches the performance levels of 30-45W incandescent R-lamps, with significantly higher efficacy, and one product surpasses small reflector CFLs in CBCP and efficacy. The two SSL A-lamp replacements demonstrate that SSL is capable of producing output at levels equivalent to 25 and 40W incandescent A-lamps with far higher efficacy, but they are not yet matching spiral CFL efficacy at equal light output levels. For all SSL replacement lamps, manufacturers and buyers should be wary of color quality, power factor, form factor, weight, and overstated manufacturer performance claims.
CALiPER Summary Reports:
DOE publishes Summary Reports following completion of each round of CALiPER testing. The Summary Reports provide detailed analysis of the test results for all products included in each round of testing.
For detailed information please visit http://www1.eere.energy.gov/buildings/ssl/reports.html or download "Round 7 of Product Testing" document.
