Royal Philips Electronics (AEX: PHI, NYSE: PHG) announced today that it has acquired Optimum Lighting LLC, a privately owned company specializing in customized energy-efficient lighting solutions for the office, industry and retail segments. This acquisition complements Philips’ customer-centric innovation capabilities and strengthens its global leadership position in professional lighting solutions.

Industry sources estimated Richtek Technology 1Q revenues in 2011 would be up 5-10% sequentially, with it's working hard in the handset, LED backlight and consumer electronics. In 2010, 4Q revenues were expected to top NT$2.6 billion, which was higher than the company's projection of NT$2.2-2.5 billion, with gross margin down about 35-38%. Except that, Richtek had completed a buyback of one million company shares from the open market at an average price of NT$253.53 per share.

It’s reportedly that Taiwan's Laser Tek planed to acquire a small- to medium-sized company specializing in surface-mount-technology (SMT) equipment, in order to advance its semiconductor equipment portfolio.

Home decor and furniture company IKEA has stopped stocking or selling incandescent light bulbs in its US stores. This action comes ahead of federal legislation that would mandate more efficient light bulbs starting in 2012. The retailer began phasing out the sale of the light bulbs in August. The pullout also applies to IKEA stores in Canada. Stores in France and Australia started phasing out the incandescent bulbs last year. At present, IKEA's available lighting options include the compact fluorescent bulb, LED, halogen and solar-powered lamps.

AVX Corporation, a leading manufacturer of passive components and interconnect solutions, recently received the Passive & Electromechanical Product of the Year at the Elektra Awards for its new surface mount polymer tantalum capacitors. Reviewed by an independent panel of judges, the Elektra 2010 European Electronics Industry Awards is an annual celebration of the European electronics industry that recognizes the achievements of individuals and companies.

Recently, California introduced a new standard for the energy efficiency of 100W incandescent lamps. A 100-watt bulb manufactured on or after January 1, 2011 must use 28% less energy in California states, with providing the same amount of light (in lumens). The Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007 (EISA) designed the law, which would reduce energy use and associated pollution and make the United States less dependent on foreign sources of energy. Also, the law would save California consumers money.

In 4Q10, the LED-backlit shipment which were applied LCD TVs, monitors and notebooks, had a 40% share in the Chimei Innolux's(CMI) total panel shipments, and it’s expected to reach 50% in 1Q11. In the CMI’s LED-backlit applications, TV panel shipments had a 15%, and monitor panels accounted for 30%, with 100% of notebook panels in 4Q10.

Taiwan monocrystalline sapphire ingots’ manufactory USI Optronics reportedly expected its global market share to increase to 13-15% in 2011, with its orders beyond its production capacity in 1Q of 2011. The sources pointed out, in the end of 2010, USI Optronics produced monocrystalline sapphire ingots to increase 220,000mm every month, and planed to increase to 550,000mm at the end of 2011, which was decided by the perfect quality and competitive price. Also, the company’ global market share would rise in 2011.

According to Times of Oman, Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh has announced that the Australia-based Solar-Gem would use solar energy to supply electricity to the Elephanta Caves in India. According to Singh , this project was launched last month and would provide three villages with electricity for the first time on 24/7 basis. The company would use LED lamps from panels that store sun rays as electricity in battery units.

According to an official from optoelectronic components manufacturer, RONA Electricals (Pvt) Ltd, the firm will build a factory to manufacture solid-state lighting or LED bulbs in the Gampaha district to introduce more energy saving lighting among Sri Lankan consumers and reduce electricity bill. As their first project, the company is retro-fitting the existing energy consuming bulbs at all 22 places of Buddhist worship which receive free electricity from the Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) .

Opcom Group, the global supplier in professional development and production of digital imaging products for almost 20 years, releases a full range of "OPCOM LED light bulbs" with a three-year product warranty for home and commercial environment needs. Opcom group provides the total solutions in LED bulbs selection.

Great Wall Technology’s subsidiary, Shenzhen Kaifa Technology, has been aligned with Epistar JV Holding, Evertop (Fujian) Optoelectronics and Country Lighting to jointly set up a joint venture (JV) KFES Lighting Co., Ltd., which will engaged in the research, manufacture and sale of LED wafer, chips, source modules, light source and lighting with a registered capital of $120 million and total investment amount of $160 million.

Last week, the City of Baytown, the Texas Department of Transportation and lighting manufacturer BetaLED have jointly made a pilot program on adding LED street lighting to the city. Six conventional 400-watt high pressure sodium fixtures were installed on three light poles located on Highway 146 at the Garth Road overpass. The lights were retrofit with BetaLED’s THE EDGE luminaries.

It’s reported that Alpha Plus Epi Inc., the epi-wafer subsidiary of Tyntek Corp. will spend US$30 million to add 10 to 15 MOCVD chambers in 2011. At present, Alpha Plus is testing seven MOCVD chambers which were recently tooled at its factory in Taichung Industrial Park.

In order to seize the upcoming New Year and Lunar New Year holidays’ market share, it’s reported that first-tier vendors such as Sony、Sharp etc would cut price to promote LED-backlit TVs in the China market. The market estimated the average price drop of foreign brand TVs was about 22% in 2010, while price drops of local brand TVs was about 16%.

It’s reported that Japan-based Mitsui & Co, which had a huge business network with business involving in the monitor and automobile industries, would purchase 74.693 million to Taiwan LED chipmaker Formosa Epitaxy’s private placement, with having a 15% stake, while Unity Opto Technology would increase its investment and purchase 15.307 million of stake.

Recently, Chicony Electronics’ wholly owned subsidiary, Chicony Power Technology had shipped LED lighting device to Clevo's China retail subsidiary Buynow, which adopted into its shopping malls as well as Clevo's partially invested Chicony department stores. It’s said that Chicony Power’s LED lighting products would emphasized the consumer and enterprise market in china. The company was expected to be list on Taiwan Stock Exchange (TSE) within the next 1-2 years.

Benefit from stronger shipments for LED TV backlight applications, Taiwan LED chip packaging house Bright LED Electronics wanted to December revenues would be NT$400 million (US$13.5 million) and full year revenues would reach NT$5.1 billion in 2010, with up 20% compared to 2009.

Targeting to help revive an economy struggling with persistent deflation and a rising yen by creating jobs through green and other potential growth industries, Japan has injected $6.4 billion on 153 low-carbon projects across the country over the next 15 months, using government subsidies as seed money and ranging from production of low-emitting cars, lithium-ion batteries, LED lighting and solar panels to energy-saving electrical appliances.  

It’s reported that the Trinamool Congress-led Kolkata Municipal Corporation authorities want to install LED lights across the city after the success of a pilot project to light up the city's streets. The erstwhile Left Front board first decided to modernize streetlights on some major thoroughfares.

Currently, Hill County has acquired a State Energy Conservation Office (SECO) $86,365 grant as part of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.

Ameresco was reported to enter into a long-term Energy Savings Performance Contract (ESPC) with the City of Greenville, South Carolina. It is now in the process of a series of system upgrades that will not only save the City an estimated $330,000 annually over a 15-year term but also reduce Greenville’s carbon footprint.

Lately, PV manufacturer Trina Solar has booked totaling $23.8 million order from GT Solar for its DSS450HP™ crystalline ingot growth systems. The orders will be included in GT Solar's backlog for its current Q3 FY11, which ends on January 1, 2011. The additional DSS450HP systems will help Trina Solar achieve its goal of significantly expanding its manufacturing capacity.  

Recently, LED chipmaker Epistar decided to issue euro convertible bonds (ECBs) worth US$280 million, with using for paying back previous US dollar-based loans and for future equipment purchases. Epistar noted, although it’s said LED industry would display over supply in 2011, the company remained optimistic about the future potential LED market growth, and was ready for capacity expansion for future demand. In the LED lighting market, the company planed to expand its capacity to meet continuing growing demand.

Industry sources noted china’s LED industry would install 700-800 units of MOCVD equipment in 2011 compared to 330 units installed in 2010, which may take China's LED industry to catch up with Taiwan. It’s reported that a Chinese LED maker had booked about 400-500 MOCVD machines to Germany-based Aixtron, with the shipment’s delivery lead time pushed to 3Q11.

Sino-American Silicon Products (SAS) wanted to sapphire wafer materials’ sales would reach 5-6% of revenues in 2011 from 2% estimated for 2010. A leader of the company said, SAS was ready for producing 120,000-180,000 units LED sapphire substrates in 2011 from 60,000 in 2010. The new adding capacity would bring much more business sales.

MOCVD Subsidy Policy Implemented by Yangzhou Municipal Government to End in July 2011

Recently, the United States Patent Office has certificated Spectros white LED patent. In a reexamination of U.S. Patent No. 6,711,426, the Patent Office has affirmed that Spectros' use of White LEDs in medical spectroscopy is unique and protectable, and that certain other applications in biomedical and industrial spectroscopy devices also fall under this Spectros patent. The core Spectros white LED patent will reissue next year.

Washington, D.C. has selected Lighting Science Group's high-performance PROLIFIC series LED street lights for energy saving. The new light fixtures will be paid for from American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) funds and will begin to be installed in early 2011.The first of the new lights will be installed in alleys across the District, beginning in Wards 7 and 8.

China company BYD Co., Ltd (BYD) has prepared to present their "Three Green Dreams" Strategy at the 2011 North America International Auto Show (NAIAS) from January 10th to 23rd. It’s BYD's fourth consecutive appearance at the Detroit COBO Center for the Auto Show.