New DLC Whitepaper On Non-White Light Sources For Outdoors

There is growing scientific evidence that LED outdoor white light at night is devastating global insect and bird populations, in addition to potential negative human health impacts. A possible solution is to move back to non-white lighting, such as phosphor-converted amber and direct emission amber LED sources, outdoors.

The DesignLights Consortium (DLC) recently introduced the first version of its LUNA Technical Requirements. The policy offers a streamlined way to identify and select LED products that meet the efficacy thresholds necessary for inclusion on the DLC’s Solid-State Lighting (SSL) Qualified Products List (QPL) while also limiting sky glow and light trespass and helping to mitigate light pollution. LUNA sets performance requirements for specific categories of outdoor LED fixtures so that municipalities, energy efficiency programs, and other outdoor lighting decision-makers can better support their energy reduction goals and abide by dark sky policies and ordinances. LUNA will also help specifiers to fulfill the light pollution and trespass requirements of LEED and WELL building programs, and help projects follow application guidance in the joint International Dark Sky Association-Illuminating Engineering Society Model Lighting Ordinance.

A subset of the DLC’s SSL Technical Requirements, the LUNA V1.0 Technical Requirements apply only to white light LED outdoor products with correlated color temperatures (CCT) between 2200K and 3000K, and do not include non-white light (NWL) LED luminaires deemed appropriate for settings such as environmentally sensitive wildlife areas. During development and implementation of the first iteration of LUNA V1.0, stakeholders asked the DLC to consider allowing NWL LED sources, such as phosphor-converted- (pc-) amber and direct emission (de-) amber products, to be eligible for LUNA qualification.

This whitepaper provides an overview of the state of the science and current recommendations for NWL light sources in outdoor lighting applications, as well as why the DLC is not addressing NWL LED luminaires in LUNA, at this time. The paper suggests the next steps to address gaps in existing research, standards, and guidelines that would make qualification feasible in the future.

Download the full whitepaper here.

David Shiller

David Shiller is the Publisher of LightNOW, and President of Lighting Solution Development, a North American consulting firm providing business development services to advanced lighting manufacturers. The ALA awarded David the Pillar of the Industry Award. David has co-chaired ALA’s Engineering Committee since 2010. David established MaxLite’s OEM component sales into a multi-million dollar division. He invented GU24 lamps while leading ENERGY STAR lighting programs for the US EPA. David has been published in leading lighting publications, including LD+A, enLIGHTenment Magazine, LEDs Magazine, and more.

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