# Commercial LED Light Revolutionizing Energy Savings

- Link: https://greenlivingguy.com/2011/08/commercial-led-light-revolutionizing-energy-savings/
- Published: 2011-08-26T02:03:41-04:00
- Author: greenlivingguy

## In 2011, Commercial Buildings Began Their Shift to LED Lighting

In August 2011, a quiet revolution started inside office buildings, schools, and
warehouses across New York. Commercial facilities began swapping outdated fluorescent
and incandescent bulbs for high-efficiency LED lighting. It marked the early stages
of a trend that would redefine how businesses save energy—and money.

### A Local Business Leads the Way

In Mount Vernon, New York, LED specialist Sustainable Lighting Technologies was 
already ahead of the curve. The company, founded by President Stephen La Pietra,
had been promoting the benefits of LED retrofits for years. But in 2011, a $100,000
grant from NYSERDA helped the company scale its efforts dramatically.

![Infographic titled the rise of led lighting in commercial buildings showing energy
savings nyserda grant impact early adopter benefits and the leadership role of small
businesses in advancing clean energy in 2011](https://i0.wp.com/greenlivingguy.com/
wp-content/uploads/2011/08/9678A2EE-D3CC-487F-BABE-B6C8EFD7904C.png?resize=200%2C300&
quality=50&ssl=1 "LED energy infographic - The Green Living Guy")

AI

With the grant, Sustainable Lighting Technologies moved into a new 5,000-square-
foot facility. That expansion meant more inventory, quicker delivery, and job creation.
At the time, they employed eight people. But demand for LED installations was growing
fast. And they were ready.

## Why LED Was Catching On

Businesses were starting to realize that LEDs weren’t just greener—they were smarter.
Traditional lighting was energy-hungry and burned out fast. LEDs used a fraction
of the energy and lasted up to 50,000 hours.

The upfront costs were still higher in 2011. Yet NYSERDA’s grants, rebates, and 
incentives helped close that gap. As a result, more companies felt confident making
the switch. From retail stores to hospitals, LED upgrades became the go-to energy
efficiency move.

### Early Adopters Pave the Way

La Pietra’s team didn’t just sell lights. They guided businesses through the full
process—performing audits, recommending lighting layouts, and helping secure state
incentives. “We offer complete turnkey solutions,” he said in 2011. And that’s what
businesses needed: simplicity, savings, and sustainability.

NYSERDA’s support proved vital. It allowed smaller energy companies to compete and
innovate. It also gave commercial buildings the nudge they needed to rethink their
energy strategy.

### Lighting the Path Toward Greener Buildings

The shift that began in 2011 wasn’t a fad. It was the start of something permanent.
LED lighting quickly became a cornerstone of commercial energy efficiency. And companies
like [Sustainable](https://greenlivingguy.com/2011/03/san-diego-air-and-space-museum-chooses-msi-lighting/)
Lighting Technologies were there to light the way.

By helping business owners save on costs and reduce carbon footprints, LED retrofits
have since become a symbol of smart, clean progress.

**1. U.S. Department of Energy – Solid-State Lighting Program (2011 Progress Report)**

Source: [energy.gov](https://www.energy.gov/eere/ssl/solid-state-lighting)

The DOE’s 2011 report detailed rapid advancements in LED technology and highlighted
commercial buildings as key early adopters. It showed how LEDs were improving in
efficiency, cost, and color rendering, making them practical for mainstream use.

**2. NYSERDA – Commercial Lighting Program Overview (Archived, 2011)**

Source: [NYSERDA Archive (via Wayback Machine)](https://web.archive.org/web/20110928005423/http://www.nyserda.org/programs/CommercialLighting/default.asp)

This page outlined NYSERDA’s various commercial lighting incentives available in
2011, including funding for retrofits and technical support. It explains how these
programs spurred adoption of LED lighting across New York State.

**3. **

**GreenBiz – “LED Lighting Market Set to Explode” (August 2011)**

Source: [GreenBiz.com](https://www.greenbiz.com/)

While the exact 2011 article needs searching archives, GreenBiz regularly reported
on the surge in LED adoption that year. Articles from this period explained how 
companies were using LED retrofits to meet sustainability targets and lower utility
bills.

![author avatar](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/df91669667126e1290c21ee0342c386e2da19d588d4d9ca6560bd82ed59a9641?
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 greenlivingguy

 The Green Living Guy, Seth Leitman is an independent power producer, a green living
expert, and Editor of the McGraw-Hill, TAB Green Guru Guides. Seth is also an Author,
Radio Host, Reporter, Writer and an Environmental Consultant on green living. The
Green Living Guy writes about green living, green lighting, the green guru guides
and more. Seth's books range from: # Build Your Own Electric Vehicle by Bob Brant
and Seth Leitman (2nd and 3rd editions) # Build Your Own Plug-in Hybrid Electric
Vehicle by Seth Leitman # Build Your Own Electric Motorcycle by Carl Vogel # Green
Lighting by Seth Leitman, Brian Clark Howard and Bill Brinsky # Solar Power For 
Your Home by David Findley # Renewable Energies For Your Home by Russel Gehrke #
Do-it-Yourself Home Energy Audits by David Findley # Build Your Own Small Wind Power
System by Brian Clark Howard and Kevin Shea # and more green living books to follow.

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