LIGHTING SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR DISPLACING ENERGY CONSUMPTION USING NATURAL LIGHTING FIXTURES
First Claim
1. A kit of parts for a replacement lighting system, comprising:
- at least one sensor configured to measure the light provided to a building environment by ambient light;
a plurality of energy efficient lighting fixtures;
a control system configured to receive measurement information from the at least one sensor and configured to control at least one of the plurality of energy efficient lighting fixtures to turn off or dim when the measured ambient light exceeds a minimum threshold; and
wherein the control system is configured to calculate energy savings achieved by turning off or dimming the energy efficient lighting fixtures.
0 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A lighting system for displacing energy is provided. The lighting system includes a light sensor to measure an amount of light provided from the natural lighting fixture to a building environment. The lighting system further includes processing electronics to receive information from the light sensor and to use the received information to determine when the amount of light provided from the natural lighting fixture is sufficient to allow one or more electric lighting fixtures to be turned off or dimmed, the processing electronics causing the one or more electric lighting fixtures to turn off or dim in response to the determination. The processing electronics are further configured to calculate the energy saved from turning off or dimming the one or more lighting fixtures. The lighting system further includes a communications interface configured to transmit the results of the calculation of energy saved from the processing electronics to a second party.
-
Citations
20 Claims
-
1. A kit of parts for a replacement lighting system, comprising:
-
at least one sensor configured to measure the light provided to a building environment by ambient light; a plurality of energy efficient lighting fixtures; a control system configured to receive measurement information from the at least one sensor and configured to control at least one of the plurality of energy efficient lighting fixtures to turn off or dim when the measured ambient light exceeds a minimum threshold; and wherein the control system is configured to calculate energy savings achieved by turning off or dimming the energy efficient lighting fixtures. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
-
-
17. A computer system for invoicing a consumer of energy efficient lighting equipment, the invoicing associated with the consumer'"'"'s payment of a cost of the energy efficient lighting equipment, comprising:
-
a memory configured to store an estimate an energy savings per future period due to the energy efficient lighting equipment; a processing circuit configured to calculate a new utility rate by apportioning the cost associated with the energy efficient lighting equipment as a function of the estimated energy savings per future period; and a communications interface configured to receive actual energy use information associated with the energy efficient lighting equipment during a selected period of the future periods; wherein the processing circuit is configured to calculate an actual energy savings during the selected period using the received actual energy use information and information relating to an old lighting technology; wherein the processing circuit is further configured to generate a utility invoice for transmission to the consumer, wherein a payment amount on the utility invoice is calculated by multiplying the actual energy savings during the period by the calculated new utility rate. - View Dependent Claims (18)
-
-
19. A system for invoicing a consumer of energy efficient lighting equipment, comprising:
a computer configured to generate an invoice for transmission to the consumer, wherein a payment amount on the utility invoice is calculated by the computer and by multiplying an actual energy savings associated with the energy efficient lighting equipment by a new utility rate, wherein the new utility rate is calculated by apportioning a cost associated with the consumer'"'"'s payment of the energy efficient lighting equipment as a function of estimated energy savings per billing interval. - View Dependent Claims (20)
Specification