Sallent de Gállego, Huesca: new 2200 K LED lighting with starlight criteria to protect a unique natural enclave in the Aragonese Pyrenees

SALLENT DE GÁLLEGO —4/4/2025— The municipality of Sallent de Gállego has recently upgraded its outdoor lighting system with state-of-the-art LED technology to improve energy efficiency and reduce light pollution. The project, carried out in collaboration with ATP Lighting, strictly adheres to Starlight criteria, ensuring the preservation of night sky quality in this privileged area of Valle de Tena.

The intervention included the installation of Pescador S luminaires (suspended version, for illuminating a wooden portico with benches), Villa XLA (a classic design model), and Metrópoli LP (for interurban roads), all equipped with ultra-warm 2200 K colour temperature. The first two models also include ATP’s patented Comfort Diffuser® to reduce glare and improve uniformity.

Preserving the night sky and promoting sustainability in a high-mountain environment

The choice of 2200 K meets both aesthetic and functional objectives. This colour temperature, with a colour rendering index (CRI) above 70, ensures a natural perception of the environment and minimises blue light emissions. Specifically, ATP’s 2200 K solution emits only 1.28% of its spectral radiant flux below 440 nm, making these luminaires ideal for protecting nocturnal biodiversity and supporting the circadian rhythms of both humans and wildlife.

“Our solutions are designed to offer maximum efficiency and durability in demanding environments such as the Aragonese Pyrenees, combining visual comfort, resistance to extreme conditions, and full compliance with the most stringent environmental and sky protection standards,” says Guillermo Redrado, vice president of ATP Lighting.

Reuse of existing columns and elimination of electrostatic discharge (ESD) risks

The project preserved existing ATP columns, which were still in excellent condition thanks to their resistance to corrosion and degradation caused by high-altitude weather conditions. Made from ATP’s exclusive technical polymers, these columns are completely immune to salt used for de-icing, as well as to other particularly aggressive elements such as snow, ice, and constant moisture.

A key aspect of the upgrade in Sallent de Gállego was addressing the issue of electrostatic discharges (ESD), which are common in mountainous regions. Class II luminaires, which do not have a ground connection, can accumulate electrostatic charge on the external surfaces of their housings and diffusers. Once this charge reaches a certain threshold, it can discharge into the interior through a conductive material —such as metal— damaging the LED module or driver.

To prevent this, ATP luminaires are made from non-conductive technical polymers, with no conductive parts that would allow ESD to reach the internal components. This provides structural immunity to ESD, with no need for additional protection measures, ensuring long-term system reliability.

Moreover, the luminaires installed in Sallent have shown remarkable resistance to storms, which are frequent in the area. Some ATP LED units previously installed in the municipality have operated for several years through multiple episodes of strong atmospheric discharges without a single driver failure, proving the system’s durability even under highly demanding climatic conditions.

A natural and cultural benchmark in the High Pyrenees

Sallent de Gállego, the historical capital of Valle de Tena, lies at the foot of peaks such as Balaitous, Anayet, and Peña Foratata, and is traversed by the Gállego and Aguas Limpias rivers. With its strong Pyrenean identity and rich cultural heritage — from its 16th-century Gothic church to unique traditions like the Misa de Sallent — the municipality is also a prime destination for nature tourism, mountain sports, and astronomical observation.

“In an area of such great ecological and cultural value, lighting must meet not only efficiency standards but also respect the landscape and the environment,” Redrado concludes. “ATP technology has risen to the challenge, delivering reliable, sustainable, and long-lasting solutions.”