LED light sources dramatically reduce our carbon footprint and energy use, which is why UC and its partners — the California State University (CSU) system, the California Community College (CCC) system, and the California Department of General Services (DGS) — launched the Million Lamp Challenge (MLC) program in 2018. This program makes LEDs easy and cost-effective to purchase and encourages widespread adoption of high-quality LED light sources in California public universities and college campuses, government buildings, and public institutions.
How to Purchase
The MLC program offers these high-quality linear LED lamps, retrofit kits and luminaires (replacements for linear fluorescents) and the more consumer-oriented A-lamps, PAR-lamps and downlights for sale. Vendors were selected through a rigorous public Request for Proposal (RFP) and price negotiation process to ensure competitive prices for LED light sources. Please contact the MLC program vendors directly for product specifications and/or quotations to purchase new lighting for your facility. Deeper savings are available for bulk purchases.
Choosing the Right Lights
Recent technology developments and California's leading regulatory environment contributed to the development of high-quality LED linear light sources to replace linear fluorescents. These LED products have improved performance with excellent color characteristics, high efficiency, dimmability and at least 50,000 hours of rated life.
Though most LEDs are superior in performance compared to fluorescents, choosing LED light sources can be challenging due to variances in color characteristics, controllability and longevity. To simplify this process, the UC Davis California Lighting Technology Center (CLTC) collaborated with UC and its partners to develop the most optimal lighting specifications as part of the MLC RFP process.
“Our goal was to take the guess-work and confusion out of the process and ensure that everyone gets a great light at a great price.”
Michael Siminovitch, Director of the CLTC
MLC in Action
UC and its partners are collaborating with facility managers throughout their organizations to encourage widespread adoption of high-quality LED light sources. The MLC program is also expanding to benefit other groups nationwide, such as the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association.