A solid state lighting unit includes a plurality of solid state lighting tiles (10) including a planar surface and a plurality of solid state light sources (12) on the planar surface. The lighting unit includes a plurality of bar support members . Respective ones of the bar support members include at least two of the plurality of tiles (10) affixed thereon to form respective bar assemblies, and respective ones of the solid state light sources (12) on the solid state lighting tiles (10) of a bar assembly are electrically connected in series so as to be simultaneously energized upon application of a voltage thereto. Methods of forming a solid state lighting unit are also disclosed.
