San Diego Community College District (SDCCD) chose Cree energy efficient LED lighting for its campus along with Cree SmartCast technology. The college upgraded its administrative offices with the LED lights and controls and is now consuming up to 75 percent less lighting energy. The college also received over $80,000 in rebates for the project.
The installed Cree CR Series troffers feature Cree's OneButton Setup. The luminaires, enabled with SmartCast technology, create their own secure network, learn about their environment and form groups to maximize savings.
Exterior campus lighting also received a refresh with the installation of Cree Edge area, security and high output flood lights.
The college was able to finance the upgrades using Proposition 39 funding, a California state program that makes up to $550 million available annually to pay for energy projects that demonstrate efficiency and a strong investment return for eligible education agencies, according to a Cree case study.
Previously, SDCCD used on-bill financing with its utility, SDG&E, to pay for energy upgrade projects through energy savings. Prop 39 allowed the college to completely fund the upgrades, and Cree's LED lighting qualified for additional incentives from the utility. The new lighting system also offers up to 100,000 hours of life expectancy, resulting in less maintenance.
