In In 2007, Summerhill Impact received requested funding from the Ontario Power Authority (OPA), the Ontario Ministry of the Environment (OMOE) and Natural Resources Canada (NRCan), to organize and host a one-day stakeholder workshop on ENERGY STAR® qualified residential light fixtures.

The workshop consisted of the following:

• Short presentations from the funders
• Guest speaker from Manitoba Hydro
• A showcase of ENERGY STAR® qualified residential light fixtures from five leading ENERGY STAR® light fixture manufacturers
• A stakeholder breakout session to discuss the barriers to the uptake of ENERGY STAR® light fixtures

The workshop served to increase awareness among retailers, utilities and electrical contractors about the minimum energy performance standards for light bulbs mandated by the federal and several provincial governments, and the next generation of energy efficient lighting.

Workshop participants also brainstormed several ideas on mechanisms that might successfully overcome existing barriers to ENERGY STAR® light fixtures.

The findings and feedback from the workshop were submitted to the Ontario Power Authority and made available to all participants.