OLED area illumination lighting apparatus

A method of illuminating an area having a suspended ceiling, comprising the steps of:

• a) providing a solid-state area illumination lighting apparatus, having a plurality of light sources, each light source having, a substrate;
• an organic light emitting diode (OLED) layer deposited upon the substrate, the organic light emitting diode layer including first and second electrodes for providing electrical power to the OLED layer;
• an encapsulating cover covering the OLED layer;
• and first and second conductors located on the substrate and electrically connected to the first and second electrodes, and extending beyond the encapsulating cover for making electrical contact to the first and second electrodes by an external power source;
• and a lighting fixture for removably receiving and holding the plurality of light sources and having a plurality of first electrical contacts for making electrical connection to the first and second conductors of the light sources, and second electrical contacts for making electrical connection to an external power source;
• and
• b) suspending the lighting apparatus in the suspended ceiling.