The National Electrical Manufacturers Association (NEMA) has announced that six member companies of the Next Generation Lighting Industry Alliance (NGLIA) have been awarded nine projects by the U.S. Department of Energy to spur development of solid-state lighting (SSL) technology, which uses light-emitting diode (LEDs) and organic LEDs.

More than $37 million of funding from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) was awarded by Energy Secretary Steven Chu for 17 SSL projects in three categories: core technology research, product development, and manufacturing. These awards are the first instance of DOE funding for manufacturing projects.

The total awarded to NGLIA members is approximately $21.5 million.

“We are very pleased with the Obama administration’s support of industry’s development of advanced energy-efficient lighting solutions and the selection of using ARRA stimulus funds towards the SSL market,” said Kyle Pitsor, NGLIA administrator and vice president of government relations at NEMA. “Each award goes to strengthen and accelerate development of SSL technology in this country and to promote growth of this industry, which is committed to providing energy-efficient lighting solutions that will transform the market.”

NGLIA members Cree, Inc., General Electric, Osram Sylvania, and Philips Lumileds received awards for product development projects that will promote market introduction of commercially viable SSL components and products. Applied Materials, Inc., GE Global Research, GE Lumination, Philips Lumileds, and Universal Display Corporation received awards for manufacturing projects aimed at technical aspects of reducing manufacturing costs while enhancing product quality.

NEMA administers the NGLIA, which is the designated industry partner for DOE in the Next Generation Lighting Initiative to support research, development, and commercialization of solid-state lighting. For more information, visit www.nglia.org .

NEMA is the association of electrical and medical imaging equipment manufacturers. Founded in 1926 and headquartered near Washington, D.C., its approximately 450 member companies manufacture products used in the generation, transmission and distribution, control, and end use of electricity. These products are used in utility, industrial, commercial, institutional, and residential applications. The association’s Medical Imaging & Technology Alliance (MITA) Division represents manufacturers of cutting-edge medical diagnostic imaging equipment including MRI, CT, x-ray, and ultrasound products. Worldwide sales of NEMA-scope products exceed $120 billion. In addition to its headquarters in Rosslyn, Virginia, NEMA also has offices in Beijing and Mexico City.