With an increased emphasis on solid-state lighting (SSL), the American Lighting Association (ALA) and the Consortium for Energy Efficiency (CEE) announced the 2011 Lighting for Tomorrow competition. Launched at the Dallas Lighting Market, the competition includes a category for LED-based replacement lamps and luminaires and a category for lighting-control products.

The lighting controls category encompasses everything from stand-alone products to control systems and whole-house devices. Moreover, the control products can be compatible with fluorescent or LED-based lighting. Judging criteria will include functionality, ease of installation and use, innovation, and compatibility with existing lighting and other systems.

The 2011 competition will mark the sixth year that Lighting for Tomorrow has included an SSL competition. Companies can enter replacement lamps or SSL luminaires that are designed for the residential market.

Judging criteria for the SSL category includes lighting performance, energy efficiency, and style. In the 2011 competition, the judges selected five winning products and three honorable mentions from a field of 93 entries.

The ALA and CEE organizations hold Lighting for Tomorrow with the goal of increasing the availability of energy-efficient lighting options for the residential market. The ALA is a trade association that included members from component manufacturers to lighting manufactures to distributor and retailers. The CEE is a non-profit corporation that promotes energy-efficient products and services in the US and Canada.

The ALA and CEE are joined by co-sponsors from a host of utility companies, nonprofit groups, and state energy offices that have an interest in energy-efficient lighting. The co-sponsors have pledged $150,000 to support the 2011 competition.

Entries for the 2011 competition are due April 15, 2011. The winners will be announced in September at the annual ALA conference.