Today Cree will launch another key product. This one, the ZR series, which is available in a 1 x 4, 2 x 2, and 2 x 4 profile. It is designed for the Contractor Spec-Grade market.
Your humble editor spoke to Jeff Hungarter, Cree’s Product Portfolio Manager. Jeff compared performance of the ZR to their largest competitors products and Cree wins in several key metrics. The ZR series features 90 CRI vs 85 CRI; 90 LPW vs 85 LPW; 75,000 hours vs 50,000 hours life and a 10-year warranty instead of the typical 5.
Perhaps the biggest benefit is the shallow size. At 3.9 inches height and as low as 8.6 pounds, it will fit easily in most plenums.
There is one more benefit and that is price. The press release calls for base models starting at $99, which I have to assume, is for the 1 x 4, but Jeff tells me the ZR24, which would replace a typical four-foot fluorescent troffer has a distributor net of $115. Not bad!
A four-foot troffer with these features at $115 will further adoption in the mainstream markets and accelerate the demise of linear fluorescent. When I interviewed Cree’s CEO Chuck Swoboda late last year, we discussed the canibalization of legacy technologies. I explained that I thought fluorescent technology would be around the longest, and he said, with a grin on his face, “It depends what we invent next.” The camera did not adequately capture his expression. Now I think I know why he was smiling.