What are the advantages and challenges of using LEDs for general illumination?
LEDs have the advantages of high efficiency and durability. These result in energy savings, maintenance savings and overall cost savings over their lifespan. Since an LED radiates light in a fixed arc none of the light generated is lost by being absorbed by light fittings or by being radiated in directions in which it serves no useful purpose (often referred to as “light pollution”). On the other hand the fixed arc presents a challenge when LEDs are used for area illumination. Care has to be taken in the design of luminaries that use LEDs for area illumination to ensure that the light generated illuminates the area evenly.
