Cree and Habitat for Humanity Break Ground on World’s First All-LED Habitat Home
DURHAM, N.C. -- This past weekend, Cree, Inc. (Nasdaq: CREE) and Habitat for Humanity of Durham kicked off the construction on the world’s first Habitat for Humanity house to be lit with all LED (light-emitting diode) lighting fixtures. Durham-based LED manufacturer Cree is sponsoring the construction of this home, with Cree employees assisting as volunteers on the project. The home will include Cree’s newest LED downlight, the CR6™ downlight, as well as other LED products featuring Cree LEDs. The LED lighting in this house is projected to save approximately $250 worth of electricity costs per year over traditional lighting.
The LED lighting in the new Durham home, located at 1015 Moreland Avenue, is part of Cree’s previously announced three-year, $1.5 million pledge to provide its high-efficiency LED downlights for all new Habitat homes built in the U.S. The house is expected to be completed by October 2010.
“At Cree, we strive to provide consumers and businesses with cost-saving and energy-efficient LED lighting products to help ease the burden of rising energy costs,” said Chuck Swoboda, Cree chairman and CEO. “We’re pleased to further our partnership with Habitat for Humanity by supplying LED lights to its U.S. homes and to personally be involved in building this particular home, as it benefits one of our hometown families.”
“Habitat for Humanity of Durham recognizes the benefits associated with LED lighting and sees this home as the ideal way to continue our goal of building affordable and sustainable housing for Habitat partner families,” said Miguel Rubiera, executive director, Habitat for Humanity of Durham. “We thank Cree for not only providing beautiful lighting, but for helping our homeowners save money on their electric bill.”
Funds raised by the Cree sponsored Habitat Bike Rides, including the 2010 Cree Habitat Bull Moon Bike Ride and the 2010 Cree Habitat Halloween Bike Ride, help to support Habitat’s work in building, repairing and selling safe, decent and affordable homes in Durham.
About Cree
Cree is leading the LED lighting revolution and setting the stage to obsolete the incandescent light bulb through the use of energy-efficient, environmentally friendly LED lighting. Cree is a market-leading innovator of lighting-class LEDs, LED lighting, and semiconductor solutions for wireless and power applications.
Cree’s product families include LED fixtures and bulbs, blue and green LED chips, high-brightness LEDs, lighting-class power LEDs, power-switching devices and radio-frequency/wireless devices. Cree solutions are driving improvements in applications such as general illumination, backlighting, electronic signs and signals, variable-speed motors, and wireless communications.
For additional product and company information, please refer to www.cree.com. To learn more about the LED Lighting Revolution, please visit www.creeledrevolution.com.
About Habitat for Humanity International
Habitat for Humanity International is an ecumenical Christian ministry that welcomes to its work all people dedicated to the cause of eliminating poverty housing. Since its founding in 1976, Habitat has built, rehabilitated, repaired or improved more than 350,000 houses worldwide, providing simple, decent and affordable shelter for more than 1.75 million people. For more information, or to donate or volunteer, visit www.habitat.org.
Cree and the Cree logo are registered trademarks, and CR6 is a trademark of Cree, Inc.