Times Square New Year’s Eve Ball Gets Green Makeover

When the ball drops tonight in Times Square, New Year’s Eve revelers will get an up-close view of its energy-efficient makeover.  The 12-foot sphere will be double the size of previous balls yet use even less energy thanks to the 32,256 LED lights that will cover it. The new ball will become a year-round attraction above Times Square, in full public view January through December.

From Times Square NYC via Inhabitat:

PHILIPS LIGHTING provided the new solid state lighting technology for the Ball, resulting in an astounding increase in impact, energy efficiency, and color capabilities.  Capable of creating a palette of more than 16 million colors and billions of possible patterns, the 32,256 Philips Luxeon LEDs in this year’s Ball represent more than three times the number of LEDS used last year, to deliver a brighter and more beautiful New Year’s experience than ever before. And this year’s Ball is 10-20% more energy efficient than last year’s already energy-efficient Ball, consuming only the same amount of energy per hour as it would take to operate two traditional home ovens.

“At Philips Lighting, we are proud to be driving innovative and energy-efficient solutions for the world’s broad range of lighting applications – from celebrated landmarks to consumers’ homes — and we’re especially delighted to be the official Lighting Partner to the iconic New Year’s Eve Ball in Times Square,” said Philips Lighting Company Director of Corporate Communications Susan Bloom.  “Now bigger in size and incorporating even more powerful and energy-efficient Philips Luxeon LEDs than last year, this year’s Ball will deliver a New Year’s Eve experience that will be brighter, more beautiful, and more sustainable than ever before.”

Considering that LEDs are brighter and more vibrant than the incandescent bulbs that were previously used, it only makes sense. This year’s ball should be even more beautiful than ever, and hopefully as it drops it’ll usher in a green, sustainable 2009.

Link [Times Square NYC] via [Inhabitat]

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