Determining an amount of light output from a solid state lighting (SSL) unit based on a dimmer setting includes determining the dimmer setting of the dimmer during a readout mode by analyzing a power signal received from the dimmer, the dimmer setting indicating a desired level of light, determining power needed at input terminals of the SSL unit for an SSL load to output the desired level of output light, and determining a value of an adjusting signal for adjusting the power at the input terminals of the SSL unit during a power reception mode, based at least in part on the determined dimmer setting, causing the SSL unit to output the desired level of light.