Executive Summary: Choosing Both Energy Efficiency and Light Pollution Mitigation for Commercial Outdoor Lighting

Executive Summary: Choosing Both Energy Efficiency and Light Pollution Mitigation for Commercial Outdoor Lighting

The DLC commissioned a study comparing the energy usage and cost impact of LED luminaires for light pollution mitigation (LUNA) versus products focused solely on energy efficiency. The findings suggest that LUNA qualified products, when paired with proper design and controls programming, can provide greater energy savings than LEDs focused solely on energy efficiency. While the use of LUNA products may increase payback periods, incentivizing municipalities to choose these products could improve their ROI and offer a cost-effective strategy for utilities and energy efficiency programs. By promoting LUNA qualified products, energy efficiency programs could help cities and towns save electricity, reduce carbon emissions and light pollution, enhance neighborhood quality of life, and preserve the night sky for stargazers and astronomers. This resource is the executive summary of the study, and provides an overview of the research for local lighting decision makers.