A: The average ROI for our products is 2-3 years, though many customers have experienced an ROI of less than 1 year. Your ROI will depend on a number of factors, including the type of fixture being upgraded and light bulb being replaced, your electricity rate, weekly usage, and whether you select our solar-hybrid (higher energy savings) or LED-only retrofit solution.

A: Yes. Based on your current lamp type and usage, we can compare the total cost of ownership for your current application to one of our upgraded solutions. For extensive, building or campus-wide energy audits, and lighting designs, we charge a consulting fee to cover the cost of performing these more time-intensive audits, which can be credited towards the purchase of Noribachi’s solutions.

A: Depending on the type and age of the fixture being upgraded, our customers have experienced up to an 85% reduction in energy usage when compared to their old bulbs. Customers who have purchased our LED-only retrofit applications are experiencing approximately 60-75% reduction in energy consumption, while integrated solar power components increase the amount of energy savings.

A: Noribachi provides installation instructions with all of our products suitable for any licensed electrician, but does not offer installation services at this time. In many cases, Noribachi can recommend companies in your area that have installed our products in the past.

A: Yes. Please refer to our customer case studies.

A: Depending on the specific application, requirements, and your geographic location, delivery time for standard product will vary from 2-8 weeks. Special orders can take more time.

A: Yes, many public sector entities are receiving stimulus funding which are available for energy conservation projects. In addition, the Federal government and many states offer solar-related and electricity conservation tax credits. Finally, many local power utilities offer their customers rebates for swapping out energy inefficient lighting fixtures for energy efficient solutions and usage rebates for significant electrical conservation. Ask your Noribachi dealer or sales representative for more details.

A: Yes. You do not have to sacrifice safety and light levels to save electricity. We will retrofit the light to match or exceed your existing lighting levels.

A: Our products perform comparable to conventional light fixtures. Additionally, Noribachi’s solar panels include hail resistant features for areas with heavy hail patterns; our solar panels are rated for 1” hail at 180 MPH winds.

A: While Noribachi does offer the option of custom engineered solutions, our standard solutions are designed to fit in a wide range of fixtures. See our product specification sheets or contact your local dealer or sales representative for help selecting an appropriate replacement bulb.

A: Yes. We provide a 2 year limited warranty for the solar components; 3 year limited warranty on our low wattage LED line, and a 5 year limited warranty for retrofit LED bulbs, and LED fixtures. The warranty can be found on our website.

A. Noribachi accepts returns under very limited circumstances in the sole discretion of Noribachi. If a return is accepted by Noribachi, a Return of Materials Authorization (RMA) form will be sent to the customer or dealer promptly. This form must be filled out completely and be enclosed with the package that is returned.

A: There are many excellent websites that contain extensive information on how LEDs work and their benefits in commercial and industrial lighting applications. One of the best sources of information is the US Department of Energy:

• DOE Buildings
• DOE Using LEDs

A: Here are just a few of the primary benefits:

• Lower energy consumption
• Longer service life; LED bulbs can last up to 100,000 hours
• Durability; LED bulbs are resistant to thermal, vibrating shocks and turn on instantly from -40°C to 185°C, making them ideal for applications subject to frequent on-off cycling
• Flexibility; LEDs allow for directional distribution of light
• No infrared or ultraviolet radiation - UV light attracts bugs
• No toxic chemicals; LEDs contain no mercury and do not require ballasts, which are often manufactured with PCBs
• Very low heat generation; LEDs are can reduce climate control costs and are especially suited for cold storage facilities
• No frequency interference; no ballast to interfere with radio and television signals
• Wide range of color; LEDs can be manufactured to produce all colors of the spectrum without filters as well as white light in a variety of color temperatures

A: Our solar batteries last approximately 5 yrs and cost approximately $100 to replace.

A. 45-85°C (113-185°F). This compares to average parking lot lights which operate at temperatures up to 750°F

A. Phosphorus controls the color of LEDs. The more phosphorous on the LED, the “warmer” the LED will look, but the less light it will give off. The phosphorus coating absorbs some photons resulting in less light illumination. The less phosphorus deposited on the LED, the “cooler” the LED will look, but the brighter it will appear.

A. Below are a few comparisons between LED and induction or electrodeless lighting.

• LED has the ability to distribute light in a focused manner allowing for use in a larger variety of applications. LED lighting works great in high mounting applications, as well as task lighting or accent lighting, while induction lighting cannot be focused or throw as far due to it’s 360° light pattern.
• LEDs have very low heat generation where induction lights produce high amounts of electrical radiation causing serious heat issues. The ballast and driver for induction lighting must be isolated from the lamp to control heat.
• LEDs can easily be retrofitted in many interior or exterior lighting applications where retrofitting is difficult for induction lighting because the bulb is large in size and must be shielded from the driver.
• LEDs are environmentally sensitive and contain no mercury or other hazardous materials.
• Induction lights do not dim properly where LEDs have great dimming characteristics.
• LEDs can be used in cold environments; induction lighting does not function well in colder environments.

A. Lumens are calculated at 360 degrees around bulbs, but light in all directions isn’t always useful. Noribachi bulbs only put out emit light in carefully designed patterns, usually 180 degrees, eliminating the light that would be wasted. Comparing foot candles, the measure of useful light at a surface, is often a more useful comparison. For more information on foot candles, please see Noribachi’s LED light terminology page in the education section.

A.Noribachi only uses high quality LEDs that have a high efficacy (lumens/watt), eliminating the need to overdrive the LEDs, minimizing heat. Noribachi’s lighting solutions are designed with heat sink mounting and engineered to include an integrated fan to dissipate heat in high light output situations.

A.Color Rendition Index (CRI) is a quantitative measurement of a light source’s ability to match natural light, or color accuracy. Based on sunlight having a CRI of 100, LED has a CRI of 65-95 depending on the desired color temperature. For comparison:

• Fluorescent lamps have a CRI between 60-80
• Mercury vapor lamps have a CRI of 45
• High pressure sodium lamps have a CRI of 22
• Low pressure sodium lamps have a CRI of 10
• Metal halide lamps have a CRI of 65

A. Efficacy is the amount of light produced compared with the amount of power required to produce it. This is measured in lumens per watt. Noribachi’s LEDs generally have an efficacy between 100-130 lumens/watt. For comparison with other directional light sources:

• Mercury Vapor = 50 lumens/watt
• Metal Halide = 80 lumens/watt
• Fluorescent = 60 lumens/watt
• Halogen = 10 lumens/watt

A. Conduction: Uses a solid medium to release heat (incandescent doesn't have this).
Radiation: What you see, the actual light or the sun.
Convection: Not a solid medium, only a medium, example hot air.
In an LED you have to take the heat away conductively, which in our case is done through our CLUs, and then released convectively.

A. We have independent testing, inspections and certifications based on UL Standards performed and enforced by Intertek ETL Semko Division. Our components (CLUs & ULC) are ETL Recognized to UL Standards. Our Light Bulbs are ETL Classified to UL Standards. Our Fixtures are ETL Listed to UL Standards.

A. No, just like changing the light bulb normally, changing your current light bulb to an efficient Noribachi LED light bulb won’t affect the UL certification. Putting our Noribachi ETL listed bulb into your UL certified fixture is safe and saves energy .

A.ETL is quicker, more economical, and they undergo performance tests on the light bulbs. UL only provides results on a pass/fail basis, where ETL, if needed, will tell the customer where they need to improve. This was helpful when we sent our first light bulb to them.

A: Visible Light Solar was created as an internal technology project within the venture accelerator, Noribachi, in early 2008. Farzad and Rhonda Dibachi, the co-CEOs of Noribachi, oversaw an engineering team who developed the Universal Lighting Controller (ULC), the power management software and hardware infrastructure which are critical components of Noribachi’s products. In addition, the Noribachi engineering team developed a series of application specific solar devices to provide photovoltaic lighting options. In 2010, Visible Light Solar merged with another company under the Noribachi umbrella, and became Noribachi.

A: Noribachiis backed by a number of private investors.