Yes, exactly.  Depending how you construct your scene, you have many options available which can optimize your light setup especially with PP2012.  Render gamma correction will require lower light intensities, IDL will take care of ambient lighting and naturally reflective surfaces.  Outdoor scenes, try to incorporate a self illuminating sky dome (preferably BB's envsphere) and 1 infinite light for the sun.  Indoors, observe the rules of inverse square lighting and place your light source realistically within the room.  Don't be afraid to use self-lit objects (lighting panels, light bulbs, candles) to illuminate interiors; with IDL you will get a more realistic effect.

Don't rely on prefab lights sets, learn to build up your own; you will find that it becomes easier to create a lighting system.