'LED bulbs use less energy'

by Jayampathy JAYASINGHE

Indika Nettasinghe

MD Eco Solve (Pvt.) Ltd., Indika Nettasinghe went on a fact-finding mission to China's electrical hub in the Shenzhen province. He and electrical engineer Prasanna explored the idea of using LED bulbs, while industrial countries such as China, Taiwan and Korea were focusing on a lighting system to save cost. Indika Nettasinghe floated Eco Solve (Pvt) in 2010 to provide LED lighting solutions to reduce overhead costs. "It was Thilakawardana Textiles (Pvt) Ltd who first gave us the go ahead to set up the LED lighting system at their showroom in Nittambuwa, where we illuminated an area of 14,000 square feet.

The adaptable nature of the LED bulb enabled us to mould the bulb to fit into any system.

Since then we have secured and completed 90 projects to date with 27,000 LED bulbs fitted in homes, factories, showrooms and other locations islandwide," Nettasinghe said.

He said the benefits of using LED lighting system overrides the conventional lighting by reducing the emission of carbon dioxide. "It is probably the most cost-effective way to tackle global warming. LED use 65 percent less energy than CFL bulbs with the potential to save up to 90 percent of the energy bill. LED bulbs are more efficient than incandescent and fluorescent bulbs that waste energy by scattering light. It is also safer than filament and fluorescent bulbs as it does not contain toxic mercury and generates less heat," he said. Indika Nettasinghe said that his dream was to light up a bedroom with the power of a penlite battery.

LED known as "Light Emitting Diodes are small and very efficient solid bulbs. The company imports LED using the USA made "Bridgelux" chips. Meanwhile, several dealers were presented with merit award certificates.