An area illumination apparatus, including a multiplicity of spaced-apart OLED devices electrically connected in series including a common substrate and each OLED device formed simultaneously over the common substrate; and a power source connected to the first and last OLED devices of the series of spaced-apart OLED devices. The series of OLED devices formed simultaneously on a common substrate can be manufactured in situ. Moreover, by serially connecting the OLED devices the application of power to the devices is simplified. A socket can be used to readily adapt the area illumination apparatus for use with the existing lighting infrastructure.