Streetlights to Power Demand for High-Power LED Shipments Through 2017, according to NPD DisplaySearch

Shipments of high-power LED chips used in streetlights, direct backlit LCD displays, spotlights, and other applications thatrequire higher brightness are expected to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 13% between 2014 and 2017, According to NPD Display Search.  The NPD DisplaySearch  forecasts that demand for  high-power LEDs will increase from18.5 billion in 2014 to 27 billion in 2017. Streetlights are projected to have a 28% share of total high-power LED shipments in 2014. Streetlights are closely followed by TV backlights and spotlights with 27% each; however, streetlights are expected todominate the high-power LED market in 2017 (41%), followed by spotlights (21%) and TV backlights (15%).

“The LED lighting source makes up a small part of the total material costs, and that is driving growth in high-power LEDshipments,” said to Steven Sher, LED research analyst at NPD DisplaySearch. “While prices for high-power LEDs are higher than prices for typical LEDs, these lighting systems are still affordable, and demand for energy-efficient, brighter lightingcontinues to grow, as energy costs rise.”

NPD DisplaySearch notes that high power LEDs now use ceramic substrates instead of the polyphthalamide material formerly used in the manufacturing process. to improve thermal conductivity. The company also points out that glass lenses have replaced silicone lenses to reduce humidity.

“Effectively managing the thermal issue is very important for high-power LED applications, beca