Interior lighting remains a large component of electricity use in non-residential buildings. In California, electric lighting has both a direct effect on peak load, and an indirect effect by increasing cooling requirements during summer peak hours. Effective daylighting combined with electric lighting dimming controls can directly offset electric lighting energy by reducing lighting levels when necessary to reduce the load on the cooling system. However, in existing buildings where glazing area and location are likely to be fixed, there are a limited number of proven methods available for enhancing the level and quality of daylighting.
CLTC is supporting Sonoma Clean Power's Lead Locally initiative, funded by the California Energy Commission’s Electric Program Investment Charge (EPIC) Program, by conducting an applied research project to identify and demonstrate innovative and underutilized commercial daylighting technologies that will expand the range of cost-effective retrofit opportunities for commercial buildings, primarily in Sonoma and Mendocino Counties, but with consideration of all Northern California locations. CLTC is collaborating with Frontier Energy Inc. to conduct this work.
Learn more about Lead Locally initiative here.