Philips once again delivered the very latest in energy-efficient LED lighting in its role as official lighting partner to the world-renowned New Year’s Eve Times Square Ball.  The result of these advancements will mean the Ball, which is twice its previous size, will incorporate more than three times as many Philips LUXEON® LEDs as last year’s version and deliver a brighter, greener and more beautiful experience.

To commemorate the Ball’s 100th anniversary in 2007, Philips helped usher in a new era of lighting technology by converting the Ball’s incandescent and halogen lighting to LEDs for the first time in the event’s history.  In doing so, New Year’s revelers around the world enjoyed a bright and energy-efficient Ball that delivered 16 million vibrant colors and special effects never before possible.

In 2008, the Ball has been doubled in size to 12 feet in diameter and contains 32,256 Philips LUXEON LEDs – more than three times as many as last year.  This increased volume of LEDs will deliver a significantly brighter but also greener experience on New Year’s Eve, as the LEDs used in this year’s Ball are as much as 20 percent more energy-efficient than in 2007.  This year’s LEDs consume about the same amount of energy per hour as it takes to operate just two conventional home ovens.

"The Times Square Ball allows Philips to showcase the power, beauty and energy-efficiency of LUXEON LEDs as well as the range of benefits LED technology can deliver not only to iconic installations like this but to a broad range of consumer and professional applications,” said Kaj den Daas, Chairman of Philips Lighting North America.  “While New Year’s Eve occurs only once a year, the LED technology on display in the Times Square Ball will soon evolve into a very real energy-efficient lighting alternative for consumers around the world, and will help drive a more bright and sustainable future for generations to come."

In addition to lighting the Ball, Philips also is lighting the Times Square Numerals (2-0-0-9) using Philips Halogena® Energy Savers – a family of bright and long-lasting halogen bulbs which are 30-47 percent more energy-efficient than equivalent incandescent lamps.  These are readily available to consumers through national retail outlets.