The U.S. Department of Energy has announced the competitive selection of 17 projects for solid-state lighting (SSL) under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, in response to the SSL Core Technology Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA) DE-FOA-0000082, Product Development FOA DE-FOA-0000055, and U.S. Manufacturing FOA DE-FOA-0000057.

Three of the projects will focus on the core technology research needed to advance the technical knowledge base of SSL for general illumination purposes, with particular emphasis on meeting efficiency, performance, and cost targets. Six of the projects will focus on the development or improvement of commercially viable SSL source, component, or integrated luminaire products. The remaining eight projects will focus on achieving significant cost reductions and enhancing quality through improvements in manufacturing equipment, processes, or monitoring techniques. Total DOE funding for the 17 projects is nearly $37.8 million.

This is the sixth round of DOE funding for SSL core technology research and product development, but marks the first time that DOE has funded solid-state lighting manufacturing projects. A major DOE objective in funding these projects is to develop, establish, and/or maintain the SSL technology and manufacturing base within the U.S., which will create jobs and promote our nation's role as a leader in the field.