A light engine (10) has a light engine subassembly (12) comprising: a housing (14) having a longitudinal axis (16), a tubular portion (18) with a surrounding wall (20) and a closed end (22). A slot (24) is formed in the surrounding wall (20) and terminates at the closed end (22). A solid-state light source (26) is mounted adjacent the closed end (22), the solid-sate light source having energizing wires attached thereto and exiting the housing via the slot (24). A light dispenser (36) having a first end (37) is fixed in the tubular portion (18) and extends for a given distance along the longitudinal axis (16). The light engine can be used for backlighting.