Abstract: A lighting system can comprise one or more light emitting diodes (“LEDs”) that emit substantially white light and a thermoelectric cooler (“TEC”) for maintaining the LEDs within a temperature range. The TEC can comprise an electrical circuit that includes two different semiconductors or two dissimilar metals that provide cooling when electrically energized. The electrical circuit can adjoin or touch one side of a plate, sheet, wafer, or substrate of material, such as ceramic, that insulates electricity and conducts heat. In operation, the electrical circuit can cool the plate or actively transfer heat from the plate. The LEDs can adjoin or touch the side of the plate that is opposite the electrical circuit. Thus, a TEC circuit can contact one surface of a thin piece of ceramic material, while an LED contacts the opposite surface.