LED LIGHTING SYSTEM
A method for optimizing an LED lighting system cost includes steps of determining LED costs, power source costs, and total costs associated with a plurality of LED quantities, and identifying a lowest total cost as an optimal cost. A LED lighting system includes an LED operated by a constant-current driver at less than its maximum current capacity. A programmable controller including a feedback routine is used to compensate for intensity drift as an LED ages. Other embodiments of LED lighting systems include multiple LEDs producing light having various spectrums to optimize the lighting system efficiency and the effectiveness. A charge controller including an MPPT routine is advantageously employed with a LED lighting system powered by a limited-capacity power source.
1 . A method for optimizing an LED lighting system cost, said method comprising steps of:
determining a first LED cost and a second LED cost, respectively associated with selecting a first LED quantity and a second LED quantity, said second LED quantity exceeding said first LED quantity;
determining a first power source cost and second power source cost, respectively associated with supplying a first power to said first LED quantity and a second power to said second LED quantity;
determining a first total cost and a second total cost including, respectively, said first LED cost and said first power source cost, and said second LED cost and said second power source cost; and
identifying as an optimal quantity of LEDs said first LED quantity if said first total cost is lower than said second total cost, and said second LED quantity if said second total cost is lower than said first total cost;
wherein a first luminous efficiency associated with operating said first LED quantity and a second luminous efficiency associated with operating said second LED quantity are considered in determining at least one of said first and second LED costs, said first and second power source costs, and said first and second total costs.
2 . The method of claim 1 , wherein determining said first and second power source costs includes determining respective first and second power storage capacity costs and respective first and second power generation costs.
3 . The method of claim 1 , wherein said first and second power source costs are associated with a solar power system, and determining said first and second power source costs includes determining respective first and second photovoltaic panel costs and respective first and second battery costs.
4 . The method of claim 1 , wherein determining said first and second LED costs includes determining respective first and second costs for associated circuitry.
5 . The method of claim 1 , wherein said first LED quantity is at least two and said second LED quantity is a multiple of said first LED quantity.
6 . The method of claim 1 , wherein said first and second LED costs, said first and second power source costs, and said first and second total costs are expressed as costs per lumen.
7 . The method of claim 1 , wherein a plurality of additional LED costs, power source costs, and total costs associated with each of a plurality of additional LED quantities are further determined and compared to identify said optimal quantity of LEDs.