SYRACUSE, N.Y.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale, AZ has installed high performance LED stadium lights from Ephesus Lighting, Inc., the leader in providing LED lighting solutions for sports facilities. According to Amy Casper, CEO of the Syracuse-based company, the facility will be the first NFL venue to illuminate the playing surface exclusively with LED lighting.
In addition to serving as the Arizona Cardinals’ home field, University of Phoenix Stadium is also the site of the Super Bowl on February 1, 2015, the Pro Bowl on January 25, 2015 and the Fiesta Bowl on New Year’s Eve 2014. Yesterday, September 21st, the Cardinals hosted the San Francisco 49ers in the first game played under the new lights.
“We are excited that so many sports and entertainment venues have seen the light and made the switch to LED lighting over the past two years,” said Mike Lorenz, President of Ephesus Lighting. “The feedback from fans, players and broadcasters at venues all across North America who are using our LED sports lighting reinforces that LED is the premier lighting solution for sports and entertainment venues.”
Each Ephesus LED light provides a significant increase in illumination compared to traditional metal halide lights like the ones that were installed at University of Phoenix Stadium when the venue opened in 2006. LED lighting also provides brighter and more uniform light which eliminates shadows on the playing surface, creating a better stage for players as well as for both fans in the stadium and those watching on high-definition television.
“The capabilities of LED technology have changed the way we view sports lighting,” said Joe Casper, Founder and CTO of Ephesus Lighting. “This was a great opportunity to showcase our innovative lighting technology in a venue known as a leader in introducing new ideas to the sports marketplace.”
The University of Phoenix Stadium installed just 312 Ephesus Stadium fixtures to replace more than 780 metal halide fixtures. The new lights will use just 310,000 watts of energy as compared to the 1.24 million watts needed to power the previous system. On average most venues experience a 75% reduction in overall sports lighting energy consumption in addition to reduced load on the air conditioning system to offset the heat generated by metal halide lights.
Additionally, LED lights can be turned on and off with the flick of a switch, whereas metal halide fixtures require a 20-minute warm-up period. This on/off feature also allows facility operators to create light shows for fan entertainment.
“We are excited about replacing our metal halide fixtures with state-of-the-art Ephesus LED lighting fixture,” said Peter Sullivan, General Manager and Regional Vice President for Global Spectrum at University of Phoenix Stadium. “As the host venue for the 2015 Super Bowl, we look forward to demonstrating the benefits of LED technology to a global audience.”
“We selected Ephesus after careful consideration of all the other available options. We are confident that their solution will improve lighting for the athletes, fans and broadcasters, all while reducing energy consumption and eliminating conventional sports lighting maintenance expense,” explained Sullivan.
The University of Phoenix Stadium, with its retractable roof and field, is unlike any other stadium in North America, and a marvel of design, engineering, and technology. This multi-purpose facility, which opened on August 1, 2006, previously hosted Super Bowl XLII in 2008, two BCS National Championship Games (2007 & 2011), the annual Fiesta Bowl, and numerous international soccer matches. The 63,400-seat stadium, which is expandable to seat 72,200 fans, is owned by the Arizona Sports and Tourism Authority (AZSTA) and operated by Global Spectrum.
Since lighting the first sports venue with LED technology in North America in 2012, Ephesus Lighting luminaires have been operational for over 70,000 hours in more than 30 indoor and outdoor sports and entertainment venues across North America. Some of these other facilities include: the Canadian Tire Centre, home of the NHL’s Ottawa Senators, Duke University’s Williams Field at Jack Katz Stadium, and The Ryan Center at the University of Rhode Island.
Ephesus manufactures the brightest LED on the market and is the only stadium-designed lighting listed under Design Light Consortium’s (DLC) quality, performance and energy efficiency requirements. The DLC certification enables facilities to receive energy incentives from utility providers.
About Ephesus Lighting
Ephesus Lighting, Inc. is a US-based company that manufactures high-output LED lighting solutions for challenging applications in the industrial and sporting markets. Ephesus is focused on innovating advanced LED solutions that will enrich and illuminate the world, by creating brighter, more vibrant and more sustainable environments.
For more information, visit www.ephesuslighting.com, follow us on Twitter @EphesusLighting or contact us at 315-579-2873 or info@ephesuslighting.com.