Led lighting is superior and sure it is the future, but what are the special benefits for India? Is there any special advantage of using LED lights in India? It all started in 1962 with a special semiconductor (Light Emitting Diode), which emits light when voltage passed through it. Practical use of LED in lighting industry is not too old and experienced. But current trends and research indicates the bright future of LED.
India is world’s 5th largest electricity consumer. It is assumed that India will requires 1200 Terra watt in 2020. These figures are always confusing, as we are far behind in the gap of supply and demand of electricity at this point. 88% energy generated today is based on fossil fuel. So how will we feed so much power in our grids with current technology?
Only energy consumption does not make a country developed, but wise use of power is also necessary. European union and many other countries plans to remove incandescent lamps by 2014. Though India don’t have any concrete plan about incandescent light bulbs, We can expect to save 55 million tons of Carbon emission per year by just replacing 400 million bulbs with CFL bulbs.
India is having two completely different types of consumers. One type is using cheap filament bulb to make their small house bright, and another type is using lots of power in illuminating landscape and shopping malls. First type of customers can’t afford led lights, but second can.
Let’s have a look at some of the top advantages:
- Long Life: LED – 30000 to 50000 hours, CFL – 8000 hours, Incandescent light bulbs – less than 2000 hours.
- Efficient: LED gives highest lumens per watt consumed. LED lights use 80% less energy compared to traditional Incandescent lights.
- Reliable: LED doesn’t degrade with vibrations and other environmental factors.
- Clean: It emits UV and infrared free Lights and helps environment. Also doesn’t involve heavy metal in manufacturing.
The only gap is lack of knowledge in consumer, as well as electric contractors in India. People are having only one definition about LED lights made in their mind – “Cheap, non reliable, warranty less and Chinese product”. There are also a few producers that create good quality of lighting appliances, but the price is unthinkable.
Lets calculate how is it still superior to others?
Assume a CFL based ceiling light. A 15-18W CFL is required to provide enough light at the floor. LED can accomplish this task in 5-7W. 10W saving for 4 hours a day and calculate for 1 year – it is 15 units saving per year. If we consider 5 year calculation, then additional saving of 75 units covers the cost difference of LED and CFL light. You still have additional 5 to 7 years of life in LED lights. This calculation didn’t involve cost of new CFL & electrician during 5 year period.
So, New establishment should always consider such maintenance free option in all the way. It saves not only power but also efforts and man hours. In India, Government as well as private constructions don’t have problem with budget in the beginning, but there is always lack of maintenance. LED lighting could save them from later maintenance with little increase in budget. As the lighting cost is only 2-3% of overall budget, there won’t be big difference in budget at all.
All of the above advantages shows that it is wise choice to use LED lights. LED lights will surely replace virtually every type of light that is currently in use.
