Cree LED Lighting Delivers Improved Light Quality and Exceptional Energy and Maintenance Savings to the Albuquerque Convention Center

DURHAM, NC -- The Albuquerque Convention Center, a multi-purpose event complex with more than 270,000 square feet of meeting and exhibit space, recently selected energy efficient LED lighting from Cree, Inc. (Nasdaq: CREE) to improve the facility and provide better illumination for visitors. Powered by Cree TrueWhite® Technology and Lutron® controls, the LED luminaires deliver superior light quality to the East Complex of the Convention Center, while reducing the Convention Center’s annual lighting energy usage from an industry standard 40 percent to just 7.6 percent of its total energy usage.* 

“As a multi-purpose facility, high-quality LED lighting can truly enhance meeting and event spaces, making the Convention Center more attractive to tourists while lowering electricity use and maintenance costs,” said Tony Gurule, energy and sustainability program manager for the City of Albuquerque. “We conducted a study of various LED lighting manufacturers, and Cree and Lutron, with complementary lighting and controls, offered the ideal solution for us.” 

Backed by an industry-leading 10-year warranty, Cree’s innovative CR Series LED architectural troffers, CS Series LED linear luminaires and both the SR6™ and LR6™ LED architectural downlights provide an exclusive combination of state-of-the-art efficacy, exceptional light quality and color consistency . Combined with a Lutron EcoSystem® control system, the LED lighting installation is anticipated to deliver more than $120,000 in yearly maintenance savings and a reduction of more than $100,000 in annual energy costs, adding up to a rapid payback for the Convention Center. 

Thanks to the Cree® LED lighting solution, the Albuquerque Convention Center now has the ability to tailor the lighting according to each occasion–whether it’s a large event or more intimate use of the space–adding a new dimension to the Convention Center staff’s ability to sell the space. 

Gurule continued, “The high-quality illumination delivered by the LED lights makes the ceilings look higher, the restrooms and stairwells brighter and makes all of the colors in the East Complex incredibly vivid. We’re excited to see economic development initiated by this installation and how it will benefit Albuquerque.” 

“Delivering a compelling venue for events and meetings is essential for large complexes like the Albuquerque Convention Center, and Cree’s broad portfolio of LED luminaires offers a no-compromise solution for the high-quality illumination desired and operational savings needed,” said Mike Bauer, vice president of lighting sales, Cree. “By providing exceptional color quality and using just a fraction of the energy required to operate traditional lighting, long-lasting Cree LED lighting can continue to help draw visitors with better lighting and reduced energy and maintenance costs for years to come.” 

Initiated as part of Albuquerque’s Energy Council Three Percent Program, which sets aside three percent of capital improvement bonds specifically for energy conservation projects, City officials also plan to renovate the West Complex of the Albuquerque Convention Center with Cree LED lighting and Lutron® controls as a result of the improved color quality and reduced maintenance in the East Complex. 

To read the full case study and view photos of the installation, visit www.cree.com/lighting/albuquerque. 

*According to the Convention Center, in the last twelve months, its lighting energy usage was reduced to 7.6 percent of the total electrical energy usage for all loads, i.e., mechanical, plug, etc. Industry-standard lighting loads of 40 percent used in this evaluation saved the Convention Center 32.4 percent of avoided lighting loads through the use of Cree LED luminaires and Lutron controls. Energy-saving strategies implemented include occupancy sensing, daylight harvesting, task-level tuning, scene selection and event scheduling.

About Cree 
Cree is leading the LED lighting revolution and making energy-wasting traditional lighting technologies obsolete through the use of energy-efficient, mercury-free LED lighting. Cree is a market-leading innovator of lighting-class LEDs, LED lighting and semiconductor products for power and radio-frequency (RF) 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 RF devices. Cree® products are driving improvements in applications such as general illumination, electronic signs and signals, power supplies and solar inverters. 

For additional product and company information, please refer to www.cree.com/lighting. 

This press release contains forward-looking statements involving risks and uncertainties, both known and unknown, that may cause actual results to differ materially from those indicated. Actual results may differ materially due to a number of factors, including the risk that actual savings will vary from expectations; the risk that the City’s plans for additional product purchases may change; customer acceptance of LED products; the rapid development of new technology and competing products that may impair demand or render Cree’s products obsolete; and other factors discussed in Cree’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including its report on Form 10-K for the year ended June 30, 2013, and subsequent filings. 

Cree®, Cree TrueWhite® and TrueWhite® are registered trademarks, and SR6™ and LR6™ are trademarks of Cree, Inc. EcoSystem® and Lutron® are registered trademarks of Lutron Electronics Co., Inc.