A system and method are provided for retrofitting a fluorescent lighting system, for example a passenger cabin fluorescent lighting system on a vehicle such as an aircraft. The present system may include at least one LED lighting unit for replacing, in situ, at least one fluorescent light of the fluorescent lighting system, and a control module for replacing, in situ, at least one ballast-type unit of the fluorescent lighting system that illuminates the at least one fluorescent light. The present system may further include a master control module, which may replace, in situ, an inverter of the fluorescent lighting system. The present method may include steps of: replacing at least one fluorescent light, in situ, with at least one LED lighting unit; and replacing at least one ballast-type unit, in situ, with at least one control module configured to control illumination of the LED lighting unit.