The LED lights Toshiba has released over the last few months, on display here at the technology trade show Ceatec taking place outside of Tokyo, sort of underscore the problem. The E-60 light, on the left, puts out as much light as a 60-watt bulb, but it only consumes 7.8 watts. The bulb on the right, the E-100, is equivalent to a 100-watt bulb, but only consumes around 12 watts. (The light shining on the bulbs, by the way, is produced by the same kind of bulbs. The E-60 has been tweaked to give it a light more similar to conventional household lights.)
Unfortunately, they cost about $100 and $150, respectively, in U.S. dollars.
Toshiba has also released a dimmable version of the E-60. It works just like a regular dimmer bulb. It sells for close to $350.
Still, the LED switch is coming over the next decade. Because LEDs are chips, the prices will likely drop by 20 percent to 50 percent a year in the future. Startups like Luminus Devices, meanwhile, continue to receive venture funding.
The Problem With LED Lighting
Michael Kanellos: October 2, 2008, 11:25 AM
CHIBA, Japan -- LEDs are energy efficient and they last far longer than conventional bulbs. And companies are progressively improving the light quality to make them "warmer." Too bad about the price.
The LED lights Toshiba has released over the last few months, on display here at the technology trade show Ceatec taking place outside of Tokyo, sort of underscore the problem. The E-60 light, on the left, puts out as much light as a 60-watt bulb, but it only consumes 7.8 watts. The bulb on the right, the E-100, is equivalent to a 100-watt bulb, but only consumes around 12 watts. (The light shining on the bulbs, by the way, is produced by the same kind of bulbs. The E-60 has been tweaked to give it a light more similar to conventional household lights.)
Unfortunately, they cost about $100 and $150, respectively, in U.S. dollars.
Toshiba has also released a dimmable version of the E-60. It works just like a regular dimmer bulb. It sells for close to $350.
Still, the LED switch is coming over the next decade. Because LEDs are chips, the prices will likely drop by 20 percent to 50 percent a year in the future. Startups like Luminus Devices, meanwhile, continue to receive venture funding.
The LED lights Toshiba has released over the last few months, on display here at the technology trade show Ceatec taking place outside of Tokyo, sort of underscore the problem. The E-60 light, on the left, puts out as much light as a 60-watt bulb, but it only consumes 7.8 watts. The bulb on the right, the E-100, is equivalent to a 100-watt bulb, but only consumes around 12 watts. (The light shining on the bulbs, by the way, is produced by the same kind of bulbs. The E-60 has been tweaked to give it a light more similar to conventional household lights.)
Unfortunately, they cost about $100 and $150, respectively, in U.S. dollars.
Toshiba has also released a dimmable version of the E-60. It works just like a regular dimmer bulb. It sells for close to $350.
Still, the LED switch is coming over the next decade. Because LEDs are chips, the prices will likely drop by 20 percent to 50 percent a year in the future. Startups like Luminus Devices, meanwhile, continue to receive venture funding.
