VAILO, a leading manufacturer of ultra-high-performance LED lighting, has recently launched a new product that aims to reduce the negative impacts of artificial lighting on wildlife and ecosystems. The product is a PC amber variant of its flagship luminaire, the Zenith Gen-V, which offers a spectrum of light closer to natural light and less attractive to insects.
The benefits of PC amber LEDs
Phosphor-converted (PC) amber LEDs are a type of LED that emit a broad spectrum of light with minimal blue content. Blue light is known to disrupt the behaviour and circadian rhythms of many wildlife species, such as birds, bats, turtles, and frogs. Blue light also attracts insects, which can affect the food chain and biodiversity.
VAILO Engineering and Production Manager Phil McKenzie explained that PC amber LEDs are a better alternative to white LEDs, which have a blue-rich spectrum and are widely used for outdoor lighting due to their energy efficiency and low maintenance.
“PC amber LEDs contribute to biodiversity conservation and sustainable ecosystem management in wildlife-sensitive areas by eliminating blue light while maintaining a broad spectrum of emitted light for effective outdoor area illumination for human use,” Mr McKenzie said.
The features of the Zenith Gen-V PC Amber
The new product, the Zenith Gen-V PC Amber, is a high-performance floodlight that retains the advantageous features of VAILO’s Zenith Gen-V, such as:
- Internally-wired components resistant to cockatoo interference
- A tempered glass lens with UV protection and an IK09 impact rating
- Specialised optics for optimal light distribution and uniformity
- A lightweight design and a powder-coated finish for durability and corrosion resistance
However, the Zenith Gen-V PC Amber has a different light source at 1000 watts, compared to the 1500 watts of the Zenith Gen-V. The PC amber light source has a colour temperature of 2200K and a colour rendering index of 70, which are suitable for outdoor applications such as sports fields, roads and tunnels, mining areas, airports, and more.
The vision of VAILO
VAILO is a proud Australian company that manufactures its products locally. It was founded in 2021 by Aaron Hickmann, who is also the CEO. The company has been recognised as one of Australia’s 50 most innovative manufacturers for 2023. It changed its name from VALO to VAILO in 2022 to avoid confusion with other brands.
Mr Hickmann said that the company was excited to launch the new product, which reflects its vision of developing products for the Australian lifestyle and environment.
“The Zenith Gen-V PC Amber is a high-performance floodlight that meets the illumination requirements for human users while minimising the impact to wildlife and ecosystems. We look forward to seeing it installed across the country,” Mr Hickmann said.
