Snap in retrofit panel

A lighting fixture retrofit assembly comprising:

• a. a pre-existing lighting fixture comprising electrical wiring and a troffer, the troffer having a recessed center portion and an outer perimeter edge, which together form a hollow inner cavity, the electrical wiring extending into the cavity;
• b. a lighting panel comprising lighting panel electrical wiring and one or more light sources coupled to the lighting panel electrical wiring, wherein the lighting panel electrical wiring is further coupled to the electrical wiring of the pre-existing lighting fixture;
• b. a spring having a most distal first end and a most distal second end, wherein the most distal first end of the spring is connected to the lighting panel, wherein the spring is configured to expand and contract along a longitudinal axis of the spring, and the most distal first end of the spring and the most distal second end of the spring move in opposite directions when the spring is expanded, and the most distal first end of the spring and the most distal second end of the spring move toward each other when the spring is contracted;
• and
• c. a magnet coupled to the most distal second end of the spring, wherein the magnet is further coupled to the recessed center portion of the troffer, and the spring is configured to pull the lighting panel against the outer perimeter edge of the troffer.

A method of retrofitting a pre-existing, already installed lighting fixture with a retrofit lighting fixture, the method comprising:

• a. accessing the pre-existing lighting fixture, wherein the pre-existing lighting fixture has a troffer and a light source connected to electrical wiring within a troffer cavity;
• b. removing the light source and exposing the electrical wiring within the troffer cavity;
• c. positioning the retrofit lighting fixture proximate the troffer, wherein the retrofit lighting fixture comprises a lighting panel, electrical wiring electrically coupled to the lighting panel, a spring having a most distal first end connected to the lighting panel and a magnet connected to a most distal second end of the spring, wherein the spring is configured to expand and contract along a longitudinal axis of the spring, and the most distal first end of the spring and the most distal second end of the spring move in opposite directions when the spring is expanded, and the most distal first end of the spring and the most distal second end of the spring move toward each other when the spring is contracted;
• d. connecting the electrical wiring of the lighting panel of the retrofit lighting fixture to the electrical wiring within the troffer cavity;
• e. attaching the magnet to the troffer by stretching the spring;
• and
• f. enabling the spring to contract thereby pulling the lighting panel toward the troffer and guiding the lighting panel into position against an outer perimeter edge of the troffer.