Strategies Unlimited forecasts high growth rates for LED replacement-lamp market
Market conditions are right for the LED replacement-lamp market to accelerate in the next few years, according to a new market report by Strategies Unlimited (Mountain View, CA). Dramatic improvements in commercially available LED performance in recent years, as well as significant cost reduction, has made it feasible to design LED lamps to offer comparable lumen output and to compete with other established lighting technologies on the basis of cost of ownership. The market is in a state of flux as utilities, energy efficiency organizations, and customers look for optimum solutions that save energy, minimize the cost of ownership, and give acceptable quality of light. Customers are in the process of being educated about comparing cost of ownership rather than the initial price of lamps.
Regulations in Europe will ban the 100 W incandescent clear-glass lamp starting in September 2009, and will progressively ban all inefficient incandescent lamps by 2012 and all incandescent lamps by 2016. The Energy Information and Security Act of 2007 began the process of restricting the sale of inefficient lamps in the US. By 2012, with a few exceptions, inefficient incandescent lamps cannot be sold. Although the awareness of these regulations is still weak in the marketplace, they will create market opportunities for LED replacement lamps.
Advantages of LEDs over CFLs to be recognized
Recognizing the potential of LED technology to save energy, policy makers have been supporting the research and development of LED technology and helping its commercialization. In the short run, while LED replacement lamps become a viable alternative, regulators are encouraging the use of compact fluorescent lamps (CFLs). However, over the next five years the advantages of LED technology over CFL will become recognized, especially with respect to the quality of light, dimmability, controllability, lamp life, and environmental cost of ownership. Some well-designed LED lamps already offer effective lumen efficacies that compete with CFLs.
The commercial and industrial segments will embrace LEDs to control costs and save energy. The LED lamps will be used for directed-light applications, in hard-to-reach places, and where the cost of replacement is very high. Although the market for LED replacement lamps is still in its early stages of development, the lamp revenues are forecast to grow at a compound annual growth rate of 107% through 2013.
Strategies Unlimited's report is entitled "LED Replacement Lamps--Market Analysis and Forecast, 2009." The report analyzes five LED-based lamp types that are designed to replace lamps that currently populate billions of sockets: A-lamp and globes; PAR and R lamps; MR 16's; candelabra and decorative lamps; and linear fluorescent tubes. The markets for five categories of replacement lamps are analyzed for market drivers and challenges, trends, units, and revenues for 2008. The report also offers a five-year forecast for 2009-2013. More info on the report is available at the company's web site, www.strategies-u.com.

John Wallace | Senior Technical Editor (1998-2022)
John Wallace was with Laser Focus World for nearly 25 years, retiring in late June 2022. He obtained a bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering and physics at Rutgers University and a master's in optical engineering at the University of Rochester. Before becoming an editor, John worked as an engineer at RCA, Exxon, Eastman Kodak, and GCA Corporation.