(Durham, N.C.) Cree, Inc. (Nasdaq: CREE) and Habitat for Humanity International announce a three-year, $1.5 million pledge to provide high-efficiency Cree LED downlights for the kitchens in all new Habitat homes built in the United States. “By providing cost-saving, energy-efficient lighting, Cree is helping Habitat build sustainable, affordable homes in partnership with thousands of low-income families across the United States,” said Chuck Swoboda, Cree chairman and CEO. “Future Habitat homeowners can enjoy lower electricity costs and most likely won’t have to change their light bulbs for the next two decades.”

The Cree LED kitchen lighting packages can help reduce energy costs for Habitat homeowners, as kitchens generally see some of the highest lighting energy usage in a home, according to ENERGY STAR®. More than 1,500 Habitat for Humanity affiliates across the U.S. will have access to the lighting package, which features Cree’s newest LED downlight, the CR6™ downlight. The CR6 downlight is designed to last 50,000 hours, which is more than 22 years if the lights are used six hours a day. These LED downlights exceed ENERGY STAR criteria, consuming 85-percent less energy than an incandescent and 55-percent less energy than a compact fluorescent.

“We are delighted that Cree is partnering with Habitat affiliates to provide lighting products that enable more energy-efficient homes,” said Jonathan Reckford, CEO of Habitat for Humanity International. “Products and materials that reduce energy costs make homes even more affordable for Habitat partner families and also help to protect the environment. This is going to make a huge impact in helping us develop sustainable communities.”

Cree is leading the LED lighting revolution and setting the stage to obsolete the incandescent light bulb through the use of energy-efficient, environmentally friendly LED lighting. Cree is a market-leading innovator of lighting-class LEDs, LED lighting, and semiconductor solutions for wireless and power applications.

Cree’s product families include LED fixtures and bulbs, blue and green LED chips, high-brightness LEDs, lighting-class power LEDs, power-switching devices and radio-frequency/wireless devices. Cree solutions are driving improvements in applications such as general illumination, backlighting, electronic signs and signals, variable-speed motors, and wireless communications.

For additional product and company information, please refer to www.cree.com. To learn more about the LED Lighting Revolution, please visit www.creeledrevolution.com.

Habitat for Humanity International is an ecumenical Christian ministry that welcomes to its work all people dedicated to the cause of eliminating poverty housing. Since its founding in 1976, Habitat has built, rehabilitated, repaired or improved more than 350,000 houses worldwide, providing simple, decent and affordable shelter for more than 1.75 million people. For more information, or to donate or volunteer, visit www.habitat.org.