As ESG goals, energy savings, and carbon reduction become a global priorities, demand for smart buildings continues to rise worldwide. Against this backdrop, luminaires have moved beyond basic illumination to become essential components of smart building systems.. In addition to delivering greater energy efficiency and reliability, luminaires now incorporate intelligent controls and connectivity to enable seamless communication between multiple devices. According to a GII report, the global smart lighting market was estimated at USD 21.42 billion in 2025, and it is projected to grow to USD 25.77 billion in 2026, reflecting a CAGR of 20.3%.
At the 2026 Hong Kong Autumn Lighting Fair, the largest trade show of its kind in Asia, MEAN WELL will build on its “2+1” product strategy to present four key themes. A With DALI-2 and KNX product lines, complemented by Matter-based wireless connectivity and green energy storage solutions. Together, these offerings, demonstrate the company's comprehensive one-stop solutions spanning power supplies, lighting control, device connectivity, and energy management.
Denny Hu, General Manager of MEAN WELL Guangzhou, noted that the ongoing expansion of the global smart lighting market has prompted LED drivers (power supplies) to evolve beyond foundational electrical components. Instead, LED drivers now function as “smart nodes” for device connectivity, data exchange, and energy management. Market demand for smart lighting is shifting from the specifications and performance of standalone products toward integrated capabilities encompassing lighting control, energy management, communication protocols, and energy storage systems. MEAN WELL is among the few manufacturers capable of delivering such a complete solution. At the 2026 Autumn Lighting Fair, MEAN WELL will demonstrate an integrated product ecosystem built around DALI-2, KNX, Matter, and energy storage solutions, underscoring the company’s technical and service capabilities and commitment to becoming an integrated solution provider for smart building energy management and lighting applications.
“2+1” Product Strategy Underpins Four Demonstration Zones to Bridge Smart Lighting and Energy Management
At this year’s Hong Kong Autumn Lighting Fair, MEAN WELL will present four demonstration zones, which reflect core pillars of smart buildings, including “lighting control,” “device connectivity,” and “energy management.” This comprehensive roadmap for smart lighting will begin with three major communication and control standards: DALI-2, KNX, and Matter, followed by grid-tied and off-grid energy storage systems (ESS). Together, this comprehensive framework will enable the integration of power supplies, lighting control, connectivity, and energy management. This strategic move will also signal MEAN WELL’s evolution from a traditional lighting equipment supplier into a system-level solutions provider for smart lighting and energy management.
In the DALI-2 dimming solutions zone, MEAN WELL will showcase a complete DALI-2 lighting system, incorporating LED drivers, master controllers, touch panels, and sensors to provide customers with a convenient, one-stop procurement experience. Next, the KNX smart building lighting solutions zone will feature KNX-compliant products, including the SPWM-KN series launched in late August 2026. The third zone will present a lineup of Matter-compliant LED driver lighting solutions, such as the XLC-MA and SPWM-MA series. The fourth zone will highlight grid-tied and off-grid energy storage systems, covering applications in green energy conversion, energy storage, and energy management and monitoring, further expanding smart lighting applications into the building energy management sector.
▲ MEAN WELL Group offers a diverse portfolio of LED drivers and smart lighting control solutions for various applications in architectural lighting, outdoor lighting, and smart energy-saving systems, driving high efficiency and sustainable development.
Denny Hu pointed out that the SPWM-KN series features a built-in KNX interface that connects directly to the KNX bus and supports the KNX Data Secure mechanism. Compared with conventional designs that rely on external controllers for system communication, MEAN WELL’s approach of integrating the KNX interface directly within the AC-DC LED driver remains relatively uncommon in the market, making it a key differentiator for MEAN WELL’s marketing strategy. Meanwhile, the SPWM-MA series leverages Matter over Thread technology (Matter 1.5 specifications), an integrated communication antenna, and Matter certification by the Connectivity Standards Alliance (CSA), allowing LED drivers to deliver seamless operational support in next-generation smart lighting and connectivity applications.
SPWM Series Integrates Control Systems to Enable Flexible Dimming and Connectivity
The SPWM-KN and SPWM-MA series, despite using different communication standards, share several design features, including multi-channel, multi-mode output, as well as high-frequency, high-precision dimming capabilities. Both product lines employ constant-voltage PWM output, offering 1-4 channel configuration options, alongside dimming, color temperature tuning, and RGBW color control capabilities. This flexibility allows users to configure operational modes based on specific application scenarios and support a wide range of lighting requirements with a single product model. For distributors, this versatility reduces the need to stock multiple models to accommodate distinct product functions, thereby easing inventory and procurement pressures.
Regarding dimming performance, the SPWM-KN/MA series supports high-frequency PWM dimming up to 20kHz, thereby eliminating visible flickers in high-resolution video/photo capture scenarios, such as product displays in smartphone flagship stores. Additionally, the SPWM series supports 0.1% deep dimming with a flicker-free design, complies with the CE ErP Directive, and supports emergency lighting (EL) functionality. These products also come with a 5-year warranty, perfectly aligning with MEAN WELL’s design philosophy of high reliability and global safety certifications.
Denny Hu further explained that the SPWM series offers three-in-one dimming capabilities, DA2 (DALI-2/DT6 dimming) and DA2Q (DALI-2/DT8 color-tunable dimming), alongside a selection of KNX and Matter versions. System integrators can adopt the most suitable version based on specific project requirements, including residential, commercial, or large-scale industrial applications. This series not only reduces system design complexity but also streamlines product selection and inventory management.
Beyond the existing offerings, MEAN WELL will unveil several new products at the 2026 Hong Kong Autumn Lighting Fair. Notably, the UDP-200/300/400 series, launched in late September 2026, is a dedicated power supply for LED displays featuring high power density, high conversion efficiency, and cost-effectiveness, all within a significantly reduced form factor. Meanwhile, the XPV series, slated for launch in late December of this year, is positioned as the next-generation successor to the LPV series. The ultra-compact XPV series offers a substantially smaller footprint than its predecessor, making it an ideal solution for space-constrained applications, such as LED light boxes, commercial signage, and landscape lighting systems.
Replacing Demo Kits with Live Demonstration Sites: A Hands-On Experience of Integrated Lighting and Energy Storage
MEAN WELL has cultivated deep expertise in the smart lighting market for years. In its early efforts to promote LED products, the company used to rely on demonstration kits to introduce product functions and dimming effects to customers. However, as ESG, energy-saving, and decarbonization demands gain traction in recent years, the functionality of luminaires or power supplies is no longer the sole concern for businesses seeking suitable smart lighting solutions. Instead, post-deployment performance, including actual lighting effects, control mechanisms, and overall system management, has become a key consideration, moving beyond the scope of traditional demo kits.
According to Tony Hsieh, Section Manager of MEAN WELL Technical Service Center, MEAN WELL has initiated a “demonstration site” model to accommodate shifting market demands. The company partners with distributors to build practical use cases, allowing customers to experience first-hand the combined performance of smart lighting, control systems, and energy management in real-world environments. The company has already established more than 20 demonstration sites globally, with deployments across South China, Western China, and North China. This network continues to expand overseas, further extending the global footprint of MEAN WELL smart lighting solutions.
Looking forward to 2027, Denny Hu said that MEAN WELL will continue to leverage the DALI-2 architecture to expand its product lines and advance future iterations. These lineups include LED drivers, master controllers, panels, sensors, and gateways, collectively building a comprehensive smart lighting ecosystem. Specifically, MEAN WELL is slated to launch its next-generation KNX-DALI gateway, the KDG-02 series, in January 2027. This new model will feature KNX Data Secure, an integrated DALI power supply, and two DALI bus channels, all within a compact 52.5mm-wide housing. The KDG-02 series will support both DALI-2 control devices and input devices, while enabling system configuration via an LCD panel and ETS software, or via a web browser for DALI system setup and maintenance.
Additionally, MEAN WELL will continue to extend its strategic presence in the KNX and Matter sectors and consistently invest in new product development. On the LED lighting front, the company will pursue higher efficiency, miniaturization, and intelligent control. At the same time, it will integrate third-generation semiconductor technology to deepen its foothold in the smart lighting market through comprehensive, one-stop solutions. （Source：LEDinside）
