Hong Kong's multicoloured nocturnal skyline is widely recognised as one of the most impressive visual attractions in the world. It also accounts for large amounts of energy consumption in the form of electricity, which contributes to global warming through the energy production and consumption process.
In a move to reduce electricity, maintenance and operating costs, without distracting from the visual spectacle, Philips Electronics Hong Kong now lights up the Victoria Harbour with its corporate sign by using the innovative and energy efficient LED (light emitting diode) technology. The LED system is a signature application of Philips' state-of-the-art lighting technology. Situated on the rooftop of the Immigration Tower, the LED sign is almost the length of an Olympic size swimming pool, and is the largest LED display panel in Hong Kong.
Ravi Rajagopalan, the company's general manager of the lighting division, said the replacement of the neon sign with the LED sign marked a new milestone in Philips' commitment to technology and the environment.
Mr Rajagopalan said if more companies made the switch to LED lighting, the reduction in energy cost and benefits to the environment would be significant. LED technology can also be used for street lighting and in warehouses. About 20 per cent of energy consumption in the commercial sector is used for lighting purposes.
On the environmental and energy efficiency fronts, LED signs contain no mercury and use only about one-fifth of the total energy consumption, which is about 20 per cent less than neon signs.
As regards sustainability and cost effectiveness, the energy costs of lighting the company's LED sign, based on six hours a day at the tariff level of HK$1 per kilowatt hour, is HK$48,000 a year, as opposed to HK$250,000 a year for the previous neon sign.
