Because of the energy bill …
The U.S. Department of Energy announced this week $10 million in funding for new public-private partnerships to develop solid state lighting (SSL) technologies. The Energy Policy Act of 2005 created a framework for public-private partnerships in SSL technologies, which have the potential to more than double the efficiency of general lighting systems, reducing overall U.S. energy consumption and saving consumers money.
Unlike incandescent and fluorescent lamps, solid-state lighting creates light without producing heat. A semi-conducting material converts electricity directly into light, which maximizes the light’s energy efficiency.