Advancing Circadian Lighting for Health and Energy Efficiency
The DOE grant underscores the critical role that circadian lighting plays in improving human health, mood, focus, alertness, sleep and overall wellbeing. With modern lifestyles increasingly limiting exposure to natural daylight, SkyView™ circadian light technology is engineered to mimic the natural light spectrum, providing the sky-blue light needed to support the body’s biological rhythms while maintaining building energy efficiency.
Buildings account for approximately 40% of U.S. primary energy consumption and 75% of electricity use, contributing to 12% of the nation’s greenhouse gas emissions. With the recent DOE blueprint outlining a goal to reduce building emissions by 65% by 2035 and 90% by 2050, innovative lighting solutions such as SkyView™ Tile are essential for achieving these ambitious sustainability objectives. Field validations of high-efficiency retrofits, targeted electrification, and on-site renewable energy generation and storage solutions are key in accelerating the broad adoption of sustainable technologies.
Why The DOE Wants SkyView™ Tile: The Future of Human-Centric Lighting
SkyView™ Tile is the only luminaire that seamlessly integrates both visual comfort and wellness application efficiency. It is specifically designed to retrofit troffer-style fixtures, making it an ideal solution for offices, classrooms, healthcare facilities, wellness centers, and other commercial spaces.
Traditional LED lighting prioritizes energy efficiency, measured in lumens per watt, but often neglects the importance of circadian-effective lighting. Research has shown that improper light exposure can lead to circadian misalignment, which negatively affects cognitive function, mood, alertness, office productivity, and overall health. The SkyView™ Tile addresses this issue by delivering biologically relevant light that maintains circadian rhythms while optimizing energy consumption.
Our technology leverages the latest findings in biological research, particularly the role of melanopsin-sensitive retinal ganglion cells (ipRGCs) in regulating the body’s circadian clock. SkyView™ Tiles are precisely engineered to emit low-glare light that aligns with natural daylight spectra, ensuring optimal alertness and well-being during the day while promoting restful sleep at night.
Scientific Validation and Energy Impact of SkyView™ Lighting
Scientific research has established the significance of short-wavelength (sky-blue) light at approximately 490nm for circadian tuning. During the day, exposure to this wavelength is essential for maintaining focus and cognitive performance. As natural daylight transitions to evening, the blue spectrum diminishes, triggering the body’s nocturnal physiology and melatonin production. Unfortunately, traditional indoor lighting lacks this dynamic spectral shift, contributing to widespread circadian disruption.
SkyView™ Tiles offer a significant improvement over conventional LED solutions by delivering consistent circadian-effective lighting. Research suggests that daylight exposure should include at least 250 melanopic equivalent daylight illuminance (m-EDI) for wellness. Standard indoor lighting, including most LEDs, fail to meet these benchmarks without excessively cold, bright, and/or glary light, contributing to a less comfortable visual environment and reduced cognitive function.
The DOE’s funding acknowledges the potential of SkyView™ circadian lighting to not only enhance indoor health but also drive energy efficiency. Our trials have demonstrated that SkyView™ Tiles can achieve the required P100 circadian-effective lighting with a power density of only 0.44 W/sqft—a 69% reduction compared to conventional LED systems. This represents a transformative leap in energy efficiency and sustainability for commercial buildings.
Transforming Disadvantaged Communities with Wellness Lighting
Part of the DOE grant benefit involves helping improve underserved communities. The dual benefits of improved energy efficiency and enhanced circadian health make SkyView™ lighting especially valuable for disadvantaged communities. Schools, community centers, and places of worship can greatly benefit from reduced energy costs while simultaneously improving lighting quality.
For educational institutions, the adoption of circadian lighting could lead to improved student focus, better academic outcomes, and enhanced overall well-being. Churches and religious centers can create more welcoming environments that promote relaxation and engagement. Likewise, businesses can leverage SkyView™ technology to enhance employee productivity and job satisfaction by fostering a healthier indoor environment.
The SkyView™ DOE grant also provides for training of lighting installers in disadvantaged communities for the retrofits of neighborhood buildings with circadian technology. In partnership with electrical industry organizations, SkyView™ lighting engineers are developing the course curricula and field training so today’s electricians can install this futuristic wellness lighting today.
A Bright Future with SkyView™ Circadian Lighting
The DOE’s recognition of SkyView™ circadian light technology affirms the urgent need for innovative lighting solutions that balance human health with sustainability. Our mission is to educate the public and drive the adoption of circadian lighting solutions that support well-being without sacrificing energy efficiency.
SkyView™ Tile represents a significant step forward in the evolution of commercial lighting. With its ability to seamlessly replace existing troffer-style luminaires, its high color rendering index (CRI 90+), and its superior circadian effectiveness, it is poised to become the gold standard in human-centric lighting.
This grant marks the beginning of a new era in indoor lighting—one that prioritizes both people and the planet. As we continue developing and deploying SkyView™ circadian solutions, we remain committed to driving innovation, enhancing workplace wellness, and contributing to a healthier, more energy-efficient world.
