CORONA, Calif., 27 July 2008. The use of light-emitting diodes (LEDs) will rapidly accelerate over the next few years in general illumination applications, according to analysts at the Darnell Group market research firm in Corona, Calif.
The number of LEDs used in typical applications will increase in the near-term, Darnell analysts say. In the longer-term, the LED driver market is expected to go "full circle" from driving a small number of LEDs in handsets today, to larger numbers of LEDs as backlights in various LCD applications in the next stage of its evolution, to even larger numbers of LEDs in the next stage in platforms such as automobiles and larger video displays.
The growing number of LEDs will reduce the cost of LEDs dramatically until they finally become cost-effective for general illumination, Darnell analysts say. Today LED lamps are at least two orders of magnitude more expensive than traditional light sources, making them several years away from significant market penetration for general illumination.
Darnell analysts point to a recent announcement from the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) predicting a significant market uptake for LED lighting over the next five years, followed by widespread adoption over the next 20 years, which Darnell analysts say is too pessimistic.
"The impending displacement of cold-cathode fluorescent lamps (CCFLs) by LED backlights in the laptop computer market is only one of the most-visible indicators," says Jeff Shepard, president of Darnell Group. "We analyzed over 50 application sub-segments in detail to arrive at our growth trajectories. Growth is accelerating in numerous market segments including video signs and billboards, automotive lighting, and others. Growth in these applications will drive down the cost of LEDs faster than anticipated by the DOE."
Darnell outlines its predictions for the LED lighting market in the report "LED Driver ICs: Application Drivers, Technology Developments & Product Introduction Trends." The report provides a roadmap of applications that will push growth for solid state lighting between now and 2020.
For more information contact Darnell Group online at www.darnell.com/leds.
