Difference between revisions of "Lighting"
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[[Category:Loads]] | [[Category:Loads]] | ||
| − | Lighting is the most | + | [[File:LightsCFLLEDINCAN.png|thumb|right|'''Different lighting types:'''<br/> 1. Light emitting diode (LED) 2. Compact Flourescent Lamp (CFL) 3. Incandescent]] |
| + | Lighting is the most common use for an off-grid PV system. Choosing the right type of lighting is not only important to ensuring that a system functions properly, but also to making sure that whoever is using the system is satisfied as the type of lighting, brightness and color can have a dramatic impact on user experience. The only appropriate type of lighting for us in an off-grid PV system is light-emitting diode (LED) lighting as it is far more efficient and durable than its predecessors - incandescent (traditional bulbs) and compact flourescent lamps (CFL). LED bulbs cost slightly more than these other two options initially, but are cheaper when their longer life cycle is considered, not to mention the importance that their reduced consumption contributes to reducing overall [[Solar PV module|PV source]] and [[Energy storage|energy storage system]] size. Reductions in the cost of LED lighting, as much as reductions in the cost of [[Solar PV modules|PV modules]], have contributed to increasing accessibility of PV systems for people in rural areas that lack electricity. | ||
| − | == | + | ==Characteristics== |
| − | LED lighting is the right choice for off-grid applications, but it is important to distinguish between the different designs to ensure that | + | LED lighting is the right choice for off-grid applications, but it is important to distinguish between the different designs to ensure that there is a clear understanding of the advantages and to highlight the important role that energy efficiency plays in PV system design. |
====Output==== | ====Output==== | ||
| − | Higher energy consumption for a particular lighting design (LED, CFL, incandescent) will translate into improve light output, but a 40W incandescent bulb will | + | Higher energy consumption for a particular lighting design (LED, CFL, incandescent) will translate into improve light output, but a 40W incandescent bulb will produce less light than a 10W LED lightbulb. This is because the LED bulb can more efficiently turn energy into light than an incandescent bulb which loses a significant amount of energy in the form of heat. Lumens are the proper unit of measurement for determining the brightness of a light source - more lumens means more light. |
| + | {| class="wikitable" border=1 | ||
| + | ! | ||
| + | ! 200 Lumens | ||
| + | ! 400 Lumens | ||
| + | ! 700 Lumens | ||
| + | ! 900 Lumens | ||
| + | |- | ||
| + | !LED | ||
| + | |4 Watts | ||
| + | |6 Watts | ||
| + | |10 Watts | ||
| + | |13 Watts | ||
| + | |- | ||
| + | !CFL | ||
| + | |6 Watts | ||
| + | |9 Watts | ||
| + | |12 Watts | ||
| + | |15 Watts | ||
| + | |- | ||
| + | !Incandescent | ||
| + | |25 Watts | ||
| + | |40 Watts | ||
| + | |60 Watts | ||
| + | |75 Watts | ||
| + | |} | ||
====Lifespan==== | ====Lifespan==== | ||
| − | + | LED lights last far longer than CFL or incandescent lights.<ref name="greenamerica"> Green America - CFLs vs. LEDs: The Better Bulbs https://www.greenamerica.org/green-living/cfls-vs-leds-better-bulbs</ref> | |
| − | + | {| class="wikitable" border=1 | |
| − | + | ! | |
| − | + | ! Lifespan (hours) | |
| + | |- | ||
| + | !LED | ||
| + | |25,000 - 35,000 | ||
| + | |- | ||
| + | !CFL | ||
| + | |10,000 - 15,000 | ||
| + | |- | ||
| + | !Incandescent | ||
| + | |750-1,500 | ||
| + | |} | ||
| + | ====Color==== | ||
| + | Different light sources (the sun, candles, different light bulb types) emit light of different colors. A candle emits a soft yellow light that is pleasing to many people whereas the light from the sun can be quite white and harsh. The color of visible light can be classified using a measurement called Kelvin - a higher Kelvin rating means a whiter light. Different lighting products will use Kelvin to classify the color of the light that they will emit. In addition to considering what color of light may be most appropriate for a given application (home, clinic, community meeting hall), different cultures have varying lighting color preferences that should be taken into account. Thankfully For the same brand and model of LED lightbulb there are often various color choices to choose from. | ||
| + | {| class="wikitable" border=1 | ||
| + | !Source | ||
| + | !Color temperature (Kelvin) | ||
| + | |- | ||
| + | !LED | ||
| + | |25,000 - 35,000 | ||
| + | |- | ||
| + | !CFL | ||
| + | |10,000 - 15,000 | ||
| + | |- | ||
| + | !Incandescent | ||
| + | |750-1,500 | ||
| + | |} | ||
==Notes== | ==Notes== | ||
<references/> | <references/> | ||
Revision as of 17:51, 28 October 2020
Lighting is the most common use for an off-grid PV system. Choosing the right type of lighting is not only important to ensuring that a system functions properly, but also to making sure that whoever is using the system is satisfied as the type of lighting, brightness and color can have a dramatic impact on user experience. The only appropriate type of lighting for us in an off-grid PV system is light-emitting diode (LED) lighting as it is far more efficient and durable than its predecessors - incandescent (traditional bulbs) and compact flourescent lamps (CFL). LED bulbs cost slightly more than these other two options initially, but are cheaper when their longer life cycle is considered, not to mention the importance that their reduced consumption contributes to reducing overall PV source and energy storage system size. Reductions in the cost of LED lighting, as much as reductions in the cost of PV modules, have contributed to increasing accessibility of PV systems for people in rural areas that lack electricity.
Characteristics
LED lighting is the right choice for off-grid applications, but it is important to distinguish between the different designs to ensure that there is a clear understanding of the advantages and to highlight the important role that energy efficiency plays in PV system design.
Output
Higher energy consumption for a particular lighting design (LED, CFL, incandescent) will translate into improve light output, but a 40W incandescent bulb will produce less light than a 10W LED lightbulb. This is because the LED bulb can more efficiently turn energy into light than an incandescent bulb which loses a significant amount of energy in the form of heat. Lumens are the proper unit of measurement for determining the brightness of a light source - more lumens means more light.
| 200 Lumens | 400 Lumens | 700 Lumens | 900 Lumens | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| LED | 4 Watts | 6 Watts | 10 Watts | 13 Watts |
| CFL | 6 Watts | 9 Watts | 12 Watts | 15 Watts |
| Incandescent | 25 Watts | 40 Watts | 60 Watts | 75 Watts |
Lifespan
LED lights last far longer than CFL or incandescent lights.[1]
| Lifespan (hours) | |
|---|---|
| LED | 25,000 - 35,000 |
| CFL | 10,000 - 15,000 |
| Incandescent | 750-1,500 |
Color
Different light sources (the sun, candles, different light bulb types) emit light of different colors. A candle emits a soft yellow light that is pleasing to many people whereas the light from the sun can be quite white and harsh. The color of visible light can be classified using a measurement called Kelvin - a higher Kelvin rating means a whiter light. Different lighting products will use Kelvin to classify the color of the light that they will emit. In addition to considering what color of light may be most appropriate for a given application (home, clinic, community meeting hall), different cultures have varying lighting color preferences that should be taken into account. Thankfully For the same brand and model of LED lightbulb there are often various color choices to choose from.
| Source | Color temperature (Kelvin) |
|---|---|
| LED | 25,000 - 35,000 |
| CFL | 10,000 - 15,000 |
| Incandescent | 750-1,500 |
Notes
- ↑ Green America - CFLs vs. LEDs: The Better Bulbs https://www.greenamerica.org/green-living/cfls-vs-leds-better-bulbs
