As part of its commitment to sustainable operations, Raley’s® Family of Fine Stores selected energy-efficient LED lighting by Cree, Inc. to illuminate its new petroleum station, car wash and convenience store in South Lake Tahoe, Calif. Featuring advanced LED technology paired with an integrated dimming system, Cree® lighting delivers improved light quality combined with reduced energy consumption and maintenance costs for the store, with payback in less than one year.

“Implementing energy-efficient LED lighting supports our goal of reducing overall energy consumption at new stores and in upgrades to our 128 locations”

Sixty Cree LED luminaires illuminate the South Lake Tahoe store, generating significant energy savings compared to the fluorescent, metal halide and halogen fixtures used at Raley’s existing Fair Oaks, Calif. location. Cree’s interior and exterior fixtures deliver exceptional color rendering, light quality and distribution and allow the use of fewer fixtures than required with traditional lighting.

The new Cree lighting system includes Cree 304 Series™ recessed soffit luminaires and Cree CR24™ troffers in the convenience store along with Cree 304 Series recessed canopy luminaires installed over the fuel canopy deck and Cree 227 Series™ recessed soffit luminaires in the car wash bay. Cree Edge™ wall-mount security luminaires, as well as post-top and arm-mounted luminaires provide further exterior lighting in the parking lot.

“Implementing energy-efficient LED lighting supports our goal of reducing overall energy consumption at new stores and in upgrades to our 128 locations,” said Randy Walthers, energy and utility manager, Raley’s. “We found a valued partner in Hi-Def Lighting & Electrical, Inc. [formerly Fillner Construction, Inc., dba Filner Electric] who met our needs with high-quality Cree LED lighting equipped with a sophisticated control system for remarkable savings and light quality.”

Featuring an optional integrated sensor, Cree luminaires help Raley’s conserve energy and meet California’s daylight control requirement at the South Lake Tahoe store. Cree luminaires in the car wash, for example, operate at 20 percent power until the occupancy sensor brings them to full power and then dims them when not in use.

An additional benefit of the Cree lighting installation is the universal drivers that provide continuous illumination during periodic brownouts that are common to the area. “In South Lake Tahoe, the voltage will drop as much as 30 percent during hot afternoons creating multiple problems with electrical systems,” said Walthers. “Cree luminaires are unaffected by these erratic voltage drops and continue performing at peak efficiency due to dependable drivers that include AC input protection.”