Silicon Valley startup Bridgelux said Tuesday that a roughly $10 billion annual market for low-power LED lights should exist by 2012.
Bridgelux introduces LED arrays for lighting
If true, this massive opportunity could spawn several large manufacturers of this next generation lighting and the chips that power it.
The Sunnyvale chipmaker obviously hopes to be one. On Tuesday the startup introduced a new family of light-emitting diode arrays with improved energy efficiency. Lights made with LEDs will become increasingly attractive to industry and consumers as costs per lumens, or light output, continue to come down.
The chips also don’t require the hazardous materials, such as mercury and lead, found in other lights.
“Lamps and luminaires that incorporate LED lighting sources will play an increasingly important role in our effort to reduce overall carbon footprint by minimizing energy consumption and eliminating the use of hazardous materials,” said Bridgelux CEO Mark Swoboda in a statement. Some government already ban traditional bulbs, he said.
