Cree unveiled a concept LED light bulb from its lighting research and development team. Redefining what is possible with high-performance LED lighting, the lamp delivers more than 1,300 lumens at 152 lumens per watt (LPW) using Cree TrueWhite Technology. Cree’s prototype LED light bulb exceeds the performance goals set by the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) for the 21st Century Lamp, the third category in its L PrizeSM competition.

As an efficiency comparison, a traditional 75 watt incandescent light bulb produces 1,100 lumens at only 14.6 lumens per watt. Third-party testing by independent lab OnSpeX confirmed that Cree’s lamp delivered more than 1,330 lumens and consumes 8.7 watts.

The lamp uses Cree TrueWhite Technology to deliver a high-quality, energy-efficient light with a CRI of 91 at a warm white color of 2800 K. This project benefits from technology developed under DOE-funded contracts, which are part of Cree’s ongoing collaboration with DOE to advance the successful adoption of energy-saving solid-state lighting. The Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007 directed the DOE to establish the Bright Tomorrow L Prize competition.

The 21st Century Lamp competition is the third category in the legislation, joining competitions to create replacements for some of the most widely used and most inefficient lighting technologies on the market today, 60W incandescent lamps and PAR 38 halogen lamps. The preliminary specifications for the 21st Century Lamp include: >1200 lumens, >150 lumens per watt, >90 CRI and CCT between 2800-3000K.