US Navy and Lighting Science Embark on Multi-Base LED Lighting Retrofit

SATELLITE BEACH, Fla., Feb. 23 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- In what may be the largest lighting retrofit and upgrade in Navy history, Lighting Science Group Corporation (LSCG.PK) and the United States Navy are relighting the streetscapes, parking lots and the residence quarters at two separate sites at the Naval Base Ventura County (NBVC) California -- Port Hueneme and Point Mugu -- with energy efficient LED (light emitting diode) lighting solutions.  

"We chose Lighting Science products based on performance and aesthetics," said Tom Santoianni, Energy Manager for Naval Base Ventura County. "These lighting solutions deliver the best light distribution, excellent color, and optimum light performance. Lighting Science Group worked at delivering solutions that addressed our energy, environmental and design needs."

A total of 1,084 existing streetlights, area lights and parking lot lighting fixtures are being replaced with Lighting Science LED luminaires. Once completed, the retrofit will reduce NBVC's exterior lighting energy consumption at these locations by nearly 60% and will increase the product lifetime by threefold, thereby reducing maintenance costs.  

Both energy savings and environmental sustainability are priorities for the Naval Base Ventura County and that responsibility falls to Energy Manager, Tom Santoianni.  "The entire project at the two bases will reduce our energy consumption by 317,445 KwH (Kilowatt Hours) which translates into a reduction of 228 metric tons of CO2 emissions* and will cut our annual utility bill by $45,500, based on the average Ventura County, CA utility rate of $0.14.KwH," said Santoianni. "This helps us to set the environmental standard for US Naval Bases."  

"We believe that Lighting Science public infrastructure LED lighting products deliver 'best in class' performance and energy efficiency -- this was a priority for the California naval bases," said Morrie Zukerman, President, Wave Lighting, LLC.  Sherman Oaks, CA - based, Wave Lighting, LLC represented Lighting Science Group and was responsible for bringing NBVC and Lighting Science Group together.  

Streetlighting

Four hundred thirty Lighting Science PROLIFIC Series RoadWay luminaires will replace the current high pressure sodium (HPS) cobra head street lighting fixtures throughout the Port Hueneme and Point Mugu residential areas. The PROLIFIC luminaires deliver what Lighting Science believes is "best in class" performance, approaching 92 lumens per watt, currently leading the industry.  

"The LED lighting solutions provided to NBVC will improve both the environment and the bottom line by delivering to the U.S. Navy and the American taxpayer a 50% energy savings, twelve year life, and less than a three year payback," said Zach Gibler, CEO of Lighting Science Group Corporation, "as well as bright and safe street lighting."

For every streetlight that the Navy replaces with the Lighting Science PROLIFIC roadway luminaire, power consumption will be reduced by 100 watts which will result in over 1/2 barrel of oil saved and nearly 1/4 ton of CO2 reduced per year. "We can reap the benefits of a positive and sustainable environmental impact without sacrificing performance and light quality.  In areas where the streetlights have been replaced, the feedback from the on-base community has been positive -- people can actually see and experience the upgrade in light quality," said Santoianni.

Lighting for Bachelor Residence Quarters

Five-hundred forty-nine Lighting Science WallPack luminaires will be installed at the bachelor housing facilities at both Port Hueneme and Point Mugu.  The Lighting Science WallPack fixtures are designed to illuminate exterior walkways and to provide excellent perimeter and security lighting. They are designed to blend seamlessly with architectural elements of these buildings and are made of lightweight aluminum which is easy to install.  The Lighting Science WallPack luminaires will last up to three times longer and will consume less than half the amount of energy than conventional light sources -- only about 35 watts -- less than the amount of energy consumed by a standard table lamp.  

"Lighting Science Group and the Navy collaborated to customize the Lighting Science WallPack luminaires to incorporate an integral motion sensor -- which further reduces energy consumption to just ten watts when perimeter walkways are unoccupied," Santoianni said. "This type of cooperation helped us to lead the charge in delivering energy efficient solutions for our specific design needs."

Parking and General Area Lighting

The US Navy chose 105 Lighting Science ShoeBox luminaires to replace traditional parking and general area lighting fixtures. The Lighting Science ShoeBox luminaire is a versatile and distinct LED-based lighting fixture that provides unlimited options for exterior and interior area lighting applications. Using only 86 watts per fixture the Lighting Science ShoeBox luminaire delivers good color and glare free, low maintenance light for general illumination needs.

Santoianni had originally specified a competing LED fixture for use at the main entry gate to the Port Hueneme base, which operates 24/7, but after seeing the performance of the Lighting Science ShoeBox luminaire, he changed the specification.  "We had chosen a different company's LED fixture that actually used more energy and delivered more light, but when we saw the lumen output and quality of light that the Lighting Science ShoeBox luminaire provided, we decided it was the better solution for this prominent location," said Santoianni.

The Ventura Naval Base

Naval Base Ventura County (NBVC) provides the Pacific Fleet with a premier mobilization site, complete with a deep water port, rail head, and airfield-all in one package. Port Hueneme has served the Navy since 1942 and for 57 years Point Mugu has had an impact on research, development, test and evaluation of equipment, camps and roads, to support not only the Seabees, but the Army, Air Force and Marines as well.  Today, from the Aviators to the Seabees, NBVC provides world-class support to the defense of the United States.

NBVC is the largest employer in Ventura County, with over 19,000 personnel (military and civilian) working for, or stationed on the base and contributing directly or indirectly to another 8,200 jobs throughout the county.

"The steps that NBVC is taking to introduce sustainable lighting to an entire community serve as a leading example for military bases, college campuses, and cities and towns across America," said Gibler. "These LED lighting solutions are not only affordable but also sustainable. The lighting retrofit will reduce CO2 emissions by 228 metric tons annually at NBVC -- that's equivalent to removing the annual greenhouse gas emissions from 44.5 passenger cars."*

About Lighting Science

Lighting Science Group Corporation designs, develops, manufactures and markets LED lighting solutions that are environmentally friendlier and more energy efficient than traditional lighting products. LSG offers retrofit LED lamps in form factors that match the form factor of traditional lamps or bulbs and LED luminaires for a range of applications including public and private infrastructure for both indoor and outdoor applications. LSG's Custom Solutions business unit designs, develops and manufactures custom LED lighting solutions for architectural and artistic projects. LSG is headquartered in Satellite Beach, Florida; LSG's Custom Solutions business unit is based in Rancho Cordova, California; LSG's European operations are based in Goes, The Netherlands; and, LSG has sales offices in Tokyo, Japan, Buckinghamshire, England and Sydney, Australia. More information about LSG is available at www.lsgc.com.

Forward Looking Statements

Certain statements in this press release may constitute "forward-looking statements" made under the "safe harbor" provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995.  The statements include, but are not limited to statements regarding the anticipated length of time that the rights offering will remain open, the amount of proceeds from the rights offering and LSG's intended use for the proceeds of the rights offering and statements using terminology such as "development," "well positioned," "leading," "breakthrough," "advance," "success," "will," "should," "expected," "best in class," "unparalleled," "would," "could," "expect," "intend," "plan," "anticipate," "believe," "potential," "opportunity," "greater," "preparing," "excellent" or "extensive."  Such statements reflect the current view of LSG with respect to future events and are subject to certain risks, uncertainties and assumptions.   Known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors could cause actual results to differ materially from those contemplated by the statements.  In evaluating these statements, you should specifically consider various factors that may cause our actual results to differ materially from any forward-looking statements.  Readers should carefully review the risk factors detailed under "Risk Factors" in our Form 10-K's, Form 10-Q's and other Securities and Exchange Commission filings.  

*US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Greenhouse Gas Equivalencies Calculator.

SOURCE Lighting Science Group Corporation