Big Green: Solid State Lighting

[mark.sofman at comcast.net]

Hello Big Greeners, 

Please bear with me via a digression. Over a year ago I upgraded my 4-D Cell Maglite flashlight with an LED "bulb" to replace the Xenon bulb it came with.  The Maglite gets a lot of use around our house and most astounding of all, I haven't had to replace the batteries in over a year and a bulb lit up in my head (didn't think you''d get away without a little wordplay, did you?)

Hence I've become, on a part time basis a student of LED or solid state lighting.  I believe solid state lighting holds great promise looking forward: market opportunities, energy consumption, design flexibility, new/novel applications, green building, etc. 

Thus to my point.  I'm now looking at solid state lighting from a professional point of view as to job opportunities to market, promote and explain this product category.  I would be most appreciative of any comments or observations from members of Big Green on:

-what you see as the opportunities and pitfalls for this technology, especially in commercial, institutional and residential, buildings 
-your views on the "state of the industry"  
-any "baggage" you believe the industry might carrying that needs to be addressed
-what the solid state lighting industry needs or ought to be doing to communicate with architects, designers and specifiers (and others) and suggested means and methods of doing so
-any job leads (of course!) you might share with a guy looking for his next opportunity to help an organization explain, promote and even defend its products, processes and policies to its many audiences (customers, elected officials, general public, media, etc., etc.)

In advance of your advice and insight, thank you very much.  If you would be more comfortable responding "off list" by all means feel free to do so.

Have a great weekend.

Regards,
--
Mark Sofman
301 922 4012 mobile
http://www.linkedin.com/in/msofman