5 Commercial Parking Lights with Dark Sky Approval

Most people aren't aware that light pollution is a thing.

The fact of the matter is that urban development and suburban sprawl, and the electric lighting that comes with it, has consequences for both wildlife and people.

As we wrote about with LEED 2009's Sustainable Sites credit 8, the developers behind LEED have created similar incentives for addressing exterior lighting design in v4.

Changes from LEED 2009 include a new compliance option based on BUG ratings, the removal of lighting power density and interior lighting requirements from this credit, and changes to photometric calculations. The LEED v4 BD+C Light Pollution Reduction credit also awards projects that utilize luminaires within the project boundary that meet the Illuminating Engineering Society and International Dark Sky Association (IES/IDA) Model Lighting Ordinance (MLO) User Guide.

Five Parking Luminaires for Dark Sky Compliance

The following five parking or area lights are all Dark Sky approved, making them ideal choices for effectively eliminating the wasted lumens of backlight, uplight, and glare. What’s more, they’re actually attractive alternatives.

1. AccuLite Finia LED Area Light:

Crafted with up to 4 LED boards, each of which are available with drivers of 0-10V dimming options, this area light is a functional option for any medium-height pedestrian parking space.

2. Curvilinear Cutoff (CC) 21 by Kim Lighting:

Available in seven different distribution types with eight potential mounting configurations, this high standard area light is one of the most versatile available. What’s more, Kim offers six standard fixture finishes with custom color available upon request.

3. Selux Beta Lantern LED:

Available in five distribution types with three mounting alternatives, the sleek looking design is a particularly attractive asset for area lighting in particularly polished areas. CCT options are 3000K and 4500K.

4. Sol 20/20 Off-Grid T II:

This solar powered solution reduces installation costs and offers wider pole spacing. Featuring a five-night backup battery, as well as intelligent dimming controls and programmable run times, this LED solution is arguably the most eco-conscious of those listed.

5. Viper by Beacon:

Available in small and large sizes, the Viper LED lights offer nine potential wattages with 6 distribution alternatives. Complete with twelve standard finish choices and three mounting styles, this is the most aesthetically versatile option of those in this review. The Viper also touts an optional photocell which would allow for smart light control.