January 20, 2025
New DOE Reports Focus on School Lighting Design
Guides may assist Lighting People in presenting end user cases for advanced lighting & controls
The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), in collaboration with the Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL), has released three comprehensive reports detailing advanced lighting technologies in educational environments. Drawing on PNNL's field research and expertise, these resources highlight practical strategies for implementing tunable lighting systems, LED retrofits, and energy-efficient designs in schools.
For Lighting People, these reports may offer actionable insights to guide discussions with specifiers and end user stakeholders, helping to bridge the gap between lighting and controls technologies and the unique needs of educational spaces.
Report #1: Tunable Lighting in Schools
The first report, Why Tunable? A Look at Schools Using Tunable Lighting, explores the integration of tunable lighting systems in schools across the U.S. Drawing on installations in eight school districts, it highlights how tunable lighting supports diverse learning needs, especially in special education classrooms.
Key findings show that tunable systems — capable of adjusting intensity and correlated color temperature (CCT) — enhance student engagement, provide behavioral cues, and allow educators to tailor lighting to classroom activities.
Lighting People can use this data to demonstrate the tangible benefits of tunable lighting to designers and administrators. Teachers reported improved focus and transitions between activities, suggesting that lighting design can have a direct impact on educational outcomes.
Report #2. Specifications for Retrofit and New Construction
Above: Excerpt from "Lighting Specification Guidance for Schools"
For those seeking practical guidance, the Lighting Specification Guidance for Schools document provides a blueprint for retrofitting or replacing lighting systems in existing schools. It breaks down replacement options for linear fluorescent systems, including tubular LEDs (TLEDs), retrofit kits, and entirely new luminaires, while emphasizing the importance of selecting high-efficacy and low-maintenance solutions.
The guide offers detailed information on compatibility, installation, and maintenance requirements, ensuring that stakeholders understand the trade-offs between upfront costs and long-term benefits. For lighting professionals, this resource is an opportunity to discuss the technical and economic aspects of project planning with design teams and facility managers.
Report #3. LED Ugrades
The third report, Upgrading Linear Fluorescent Fixtures to LED in Schools, focuses on the energy-saving potential of LED retrofits. According to the document, transitioning to LED systems can reduce energy consumption by up to 60% compared to fluorescent systems, with additional savings from advanced lighting controls like dimming and occupancy sensors.
The report also addresses safety considerations, such as the need for proper labeling when modifying existing fixtures, and stresses the importance of compliance with evolving energy codes. Lighting People can use this report to help designers and administrators navigate these technical challenges, ensuring that school projects align with both energy efficiency goals and regulatory standards.
As lighting technologies continue to evolve, education remains an important sector where innovation meets impact. The DOE’s resources may enhance discussions with education project stakeholders that highlight both the technical and human benefits of thoughtful lighting design.
