La Torre de Fontaubella (Spain) chooses LED PC Amber lighting to preserve the darkness of its night skies

LA TORRE DE FONTAUBELLA —12/4/2024— In an effort to preserve the night sky and promote sustainability, La Torre de Fontaubella has undergone a significant transformation in its outdoor lighting system by implementing LED PC Amber technology. Located in the Catalan region of El Priorat and part of the E1 light pollution protection area of ​​the Montsant Natural Park, this small municipality has become an example of energy efficiency and environmental respect.

The latest expansion of the light protection area of ​​the Montsant Natural Park has involved the incorporation of twenty additional municipalities, including Falset, the capital of El Priorat, and La Torre de Fontaubella, implying the special commitment of these regions to the conservation of the night sky and biodiversity. This initiative, which makes El Priorat the only region in Catalonia fully committed to light protection, has been enthusiastically received by local authorities and the community at large.

La Torre de Fontaubella has joined the commitment to adopt a sustainable outdoor lighting model from an economic, energy, and environmental perspective, compatible with its Starlight Destination status (optimal location for astrotourism). Faced with this challenge, ATP has designed a tailor-made lighting project that combines energy efficiency, lighting quality, and environmental respect. The action has focused on replacing old discharge fixtures with classic style Villa XLA LED PC Amber luminaires, ensuring a significant reduction in electricity consumption and lighting more in line with the needs of the environment.

Results: energy savings and preservation of the night sky

With the installation of the new lighting, the municipality has experienced energy savings of over 70%. In addition, adequate lighting has been achieved with an average of 7.5 lux, thus meeting the requirements to access subsidies from the Tarragona Provincial Council for this type of project. The ultra-warm color temperature of ATP Lighting's PC Amber LED, with a spectral radiant flux of blues of only 0.48% (wavelengths shorter than 440 nm), greatly contributes to reducing light pollution in a protected area with a total of 738 square kilometers.

At this point, it is important to highlight that the same warm color temperature can have differences in the percentage of blue spectral component of up to 45% depending on the manufacturer. ATP ensures that its ultra-warm color temperatures, such as PC Amber, have the lowest blue indexes on the market.

The mayor of La Torre de Fontaubella, Albert Sabaté, has expressed his satisfaction with the results of the new lighting: "As mayor, I can say that we are delighted with the new lighting in the municipality and with the energy savings, the quality of light, and the reduction of light pollution in a protected area classified as E1." This testimony reflects the positive impact that the project has had on the local community and its natural environment.

From a tourism perspective, the Starlight Tourist Destination certification awarded to the area acknowledges the quality of the night sky for astrotourism. This designation provides municipalities with tools to diversify their tourism offering and target it towards an audience interested in environmental, cultural, and scenic values.

The lighting project in La Torre de Fontaubella represents a model to follow in controlling light pollution and promoting sustainable tourism. With a combination of advanced technology, community commitment, and respect for the natural environment, the municipality has shown that it is possible to illuminate efficiently and responsibly, while preserving the beauty of the night sky and the biodiversity of the region.