DOE Invests $15 Million in Advanced LED and OLED Lighting Projects
WASHINGTON, DC — U.S. Energy Secretary Steven Chu announced nearly $15 million in funding for eight new research and development lighting projects.
These projects are especially focused on solid-state lighting technologies such as LEDs and OLEDs. These advanced systems are revolutionizing the way we use energy for lighting. In fact, they can be up to ten times more efficient than traditional incandescent bulbs. Even better, they can also last up to 25 times longer.
Because of their performance and longevity, these technologies reduce energy costs and minimize environmental impact. While traditional lighting wastes energy as heat, solid-state options deliver more light per watt. At the same time, they offer greater design flexibility for commercial and residential applications.
Selected Projects
The selected projects span four U.S. states. They aim to advance R&D goals, accelerate product innovation, and grow domestic manufacturing capacity. As a result, the U.S. will stay competitive in the rapidly evolving global lighting market. Moreover, these efforts strengthen the clean energy economy and support long-term national energy goals.
“These investments in cutting-edge lighting technologies will support American innovation, create new manufacturing jobs, and ensure U.S. leadership in this industry,” said Secretary Chu.
“Next-generation lighting will transform how we light our homes and businesses while generating massive energy and cost savings.”
Public and Private Partnership
In addition to federal funding, the projects will also receive nearly $4 million from the private sector. Together, these public-private partnerships span the full spectrum of solid-state lighting (SSL) development. They cover everything from basic scientific research to market-ready deployment.
While government investment drives innovation, private collaboration accelerates impact. As a result, these partnerships help ensure faster development and wider adoption of advanced lighting technologies.
Funding Areas and Recipients
The eight selected projects fall into three strategic categories:
1. Core Technology Research – $4.3 Million
These projects focus on closing technical gaps in LED and OLED research. They expand scientific knowledge and generate essential performance data. As a result, they pave the way for widespread adoption of SSL in general lighting.
•Arizona State University (Tempe, AZ) – $664,785
•Research Triangle Institute (Research Triangle Park, NC) – $1,699,318
•Soraa Inc. (Goleta, CA) – $678,257
•University of Rochester (Rochester, NY) – $1,247,881
2. Product Development – $3.6 Million
These initiatives aim to create cost-effective, high-performing SSL materials and systems. They focus on commercial viability, durability, and energy savings. Therefore, these projects will help bring innovative lighting products to market faster.
•Cree, Inc. (Goleta, CA) – $1,610,681
•Philips Lumileds Lighting Company, LLC (San Jose, CA) – $1,987,200
3. SSL Manufacturing – $6.9 Million
These projects address manufacturing challenges that hinder SSL affordability and quality. They aim to reduce costs, improve efficiency, and enhance process monitoring. As a result, U.S. companies will strengthen their competitiveness in the global lighting market.
•Moser Baer Technologies, Inc. (Canandaigua, NY) – $2,906,324
•Veeco Instruments (Plainview, NY) – $4,000,000
A Broader Vision for Energy Efficiency
This announcement marks the seventh round of DOE funding for SSL research light projects and product development. Additionally, it’s the second time DOE has invested directly in SSL manufacturing.
Although energy-efficient lighting continues to grow, these efforts aim to speed up its adoption. By enhancing performance and cutting costs, the DOE ensures SSL can scale across the nation. Moreover, these investments boost domestic innovation, manufacturing, and long-term energy savings.
More importantly, these projects also promote U.S.-based manufacturing, drive job creation, and most definitely reinforce America’s leadership in global energy innovation.
Research Light Projects!
These also go beyond research light projects. For they essentially lay the groundwork for nationwide transformation. As demand for energy-efficient lighting grows, these innovations will help reduce utility bills, cut carbon emissions, and strengthen grid reliability. At the same time, they support domestic supply chains and keep the U.S. at the forefront of global lighting technology. In the years ahead, solid-state lighting will most certainly brighten buildings. For they will also illuminate a path toward smarter, cleaner infrastructure.
More About Green Lighting
DOE’s sources of investment in solid-state lighting technologies:
- U.S. Department of Energy – Solid-State Lighting Program Overview
Provides detailed background on the DOE’s ongoing efforts to advance LED and OLED technologies through research, development, and manufacturing support. - ENERGY STAR – Learn About LED Lighting
Explains how LED lighting saves energy, lasts longer, and also supports sustainability goals, thereby also complementing the DOE’s funding initiatives. - National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) – Lighting R&D and Innovation
Showcases how government labs and partners most importantly develop next-generation lighting technologies to meet energy and environmental targets.
