Which design strategies improve lighting energy performance?

• A. Occupancy sensors and shading devices
• B. Occupancy sensors alone
• C. Solar panels only
• D. High-lume fixtures with no controls

Answer: (C)

The main concept is reducing lighting energy use through smart controls and daylight management. Occupancy sensors cut lights when a space isn’t in use, preventing wasted electricity, while shading devices help control daylight levels and glare, enabling more natural light to illuminate spaces without relying as heavily on artificial lighting. When daylight is available and well managed, you can dim or turn off electric lighting, achieving meaningful energy savings. Solar panels can offset energy use by generating electricity, but they don’t directly change how efficiently the lighting system operates when it’s in use. High-lumen fixtures without controls waste energy, so combining sensors with shading and daylighting strategies provides the strongest improvement in lighting energy performance.