WEST CALDWELL, N.J.—MaxLite Energy Star certified LED bulbs are being delivered to Massachusetts communities hardest hit by COVID-19 as part of a utility-sponsored program that distributes energy efficient lighting through food pantries. More than 21,400 MaxLite 9-watt Energy Star certified A-line bulbs are being included in meal kits distributed at 45 food pantries in communities such as Lawrence, Methuen, Chelsea, New Bedford, Framingham, and Pittsfield. The distribution is the first phase of a yearlong initiative that will see 240,000 Energy Star certified LED bulbs delivered to Massachusetts and Rhode Island food pantries on behalf of regional utilities that are part...

NATIONAL REPORT—There is tremendous demand for eco-friendly design features and elements not only in residential development but also in commercial development. There are plenty of reasons for business owners to seek out green commercial spaces. In terms of overhead and operating expenses, with an eco-friendly space, there are opportunities to save money. For example, the integration of an energy-efficient PTAC air-conditioning unit can help cool spaces that central air can’t reach. Then, there are also chances for businesses to use their dedication to being green as a marketing tool. Modern consumers want to buy from businesses they feel reflect their values. The following...

COMMERCE, CALIF.—Nora Lighting expands its RLM LED Pendant Shade Series with the introduction of a new 8” diameter model; other fixtures in the RLM family include 10” and 16” widths. The high lumen RLM Shades are designed for bright overall lighting in hospitality, retail or commercial applications, and offer up to 80 percent energy savings over incandescents. The 8” LED luminaires deliver 1200 or 2200 lumens and the 10” and 16” shades are available with up to 3800 lumens. Color temperatures can be specified from 3000K to 4000K. LED optics are deep set in the aluminum-spun bowl for visual comfort and even...

Here is what hotel managers need to know: After COVID-19, few things will be the same. Hotel guests are going to be concerned that not only are the hotels they stay in cleaned using green cleaning tools, methods, and equipment, but steps have been taken to ensure the entire property is healthy. And one way they will be able to determine this is if the property has been WELL certified. The WELL program is relatively new. The International WELL Building Institute, as it is officially known, is about six years old. It was started by many of the same people that...

LOS ANGELES—Ecosense, a leading LED technology company, announced that it has acquired assets from Soraa, a designer and manufacturer of full-spectrum LED lamps based in Fremont, Calif. Under the terms of the deal, Ecosense acquires the Soraa name, intellectual property and lamps, including the company’s signature VIVID, BRILLIANT HL and HEALTHY product lines. This move is the first foray into the professional lamp category for Ecosense. “This acquisition accelerates our strategy into the next wave of lighting,” explains Mark Reynoso, CEO of Ecosense. “Soraa has an unparalleled reputation for beam and spectral quality. Their intellectual property and technology portfolio—including ZEROBLUE, full...

RIYADH, SAUDI ARABIA—The Red Sea Development Company (TRSDC), the developer behind one of the world’s most ambitious tourism initiatives, has announced plans to become the largest certified Dark Sky Reserve in the world, and is seeking an accreditation that recognizes areas with an exceptional quality of starry nights and a commitment to protecting the nocturnal environment. TRSDC has awarded a contract to Cundall, an international multi-disciplinary consultancy providing engineering, design and sustainable solutions, to develop a lighting strategy that would provide enough lighting for safe movement around the site, whilst meeting the stringent International Dark Sky criteria. “We are proud to...

DAYTON, N.J.—Somfy Systems, Inc., the world’s largest manufacturer of tubular motors for interior window coverings and exterior solar protections, has partnered with Osram, a leading global high-tech company with a diverse array of products including connected lighting solutions. The partnership between Osram and Somfy allows natural and artificial light to work better together in building environments. Osram’s Encelium networked lighting management system and Somfy’s automated shading solutions work together to create a more seamless user experience for light management. The combination of Osram Encelium and Somfy Digital Network (SDN) creates a centralized interface for facility managers and streamlines the light...

TORRANCE, CALIF.—LEDtronics announced two new additions to its series of Decorative LED Post Top Fixtures—a low-power circular design and a high voltage option. They’re a perfect fit for parking lots, walkways, sidewalks and area lighting, while also giving a location a modern and attractive look. The PTF000 post top fixture is perfect for walkways and pathways, while the new high-voltage version PTF001 is primarily designed for parking lots. Both fixtures are also ideal lighting solutions for pathways. The PTF000 fixture consumes only 70 watts but replaces metal-halide/HPS lamps up to 300 watts. It operates in an input voltage range of 100...

NATIONAL REPORT—Humans strive to make life easy. It’s this desire to do less labor that, over our existence, has driven our imagination to invent more efficient ways of completing various tasks ranging from eating to traveling to communicating. Yet our advancement is a double-edged sword. As of recently, especially within the last 100 years, we’ve begun to learn the true consequences that our developments bring with them now. We’ve seen that, in many cases, those very same innovations advancing our species are destroying the planet we live on. One such invention, and likely the most prominent one seen in...

COMMERCE, CALIF.—Nora Lighting’s Ari LED Step Lights feature a modern, screwless face plate with three mounting styles: vertical, horizontal and field-interchangeable. Ari is available in 2.5W LED or 5W LED (30 to 80 lms) and can be installed indoors or out. The fixtures improve lighting around stairways, patios, balconies or outdoor walkways. They save up to 80 percent in energy costs when compared to 10W incandescent step lights, and are cETLus listed for wet locations. A scoop reflector produces maximum illumination without a diode image and a non-dimmable driver is integrated and embedded. Color temperatures include 3000K or 4000K CCT with...