Cree just announced that its LED lights have been used to illuminate North Carolina’s first LEED-certified McDonald’s franchise. The store, which was rebuilt to achieve LEED  gold certification, expects to have the certification confirmed by October.

CREE’s LED lights make up 97% of the lighting system in the building, which uses a whopping 78% less energy that conventional lighting. The building is also designed with skylights to allow natural light to enter the store, and the LED lights are programmed to adjust their light levels based on the ambient light available.

In a company press release, franchise owner Ric Richards and Cree president Neal Hunter commented on the store:

“My efforts in building this store are two-fold – to be economically sound with energy-efficient methods and, at the same time, to provide a modern space for the enjoyment of customers,” Richards explains. “Cree’s LED lighting products are an important element in our ability to reach our energy-efficiency targets.”

“By seeking LEED-gold certification, this McDonald’s demonstrates the importance of LED lighting as a crucial component for green building,” says Cree LED Lighting president Neal Hunter. “The full line of Cree LED lights is in use in this building, from our recessed downlights to our new LED bulb,” he adds.

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