CLTC partnered with the Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E) and the California Energy Commission to assess how incentive programs and education efforts might best serve retailers' transition to LEDs.
As part of the project CLTC created a retail vignette, called Lux, that offers store owners an introduction to LED lighting and replacement lamp options, primarily PAR38 replacement lamps commonly used in track lighting. MR16 pendants and LED jewelry case lighting were also installed in the demonstration space. Lux has allows visitors to see, firsthand, how different LED replacement lamps compare to one another and to traditional halogen sources while learning about principles like color temperature, color rendering, efficacy, and longevity.
CLTC staff surveyed 87 retailers on their lighting preferences and the factors that influence their purchasing decisions when it comes to lighting. The survey indicates a large majority of retailers have yet to try LED lamps. Seventy-six percent of those surveyed have some incandescent sources installed in their retail establishments, and 51 percent have halogen lamps in their stores, but only 9 percent of those surveyed had any LED lamps.
PG&E is considering the survey results as it shapes future incentive programs for retail business owners in PG&E territory.