Energy and Environmental Impact of Light Pollution from Outdoor Advertising: Energy Waste

Benites-Alfaro E.; Nakayo J.J.; Olivera C.C.; Suasnabar E.A.; Ccuro F.M.; Aguinaga D.L. · Chemical Engineering Transactions (2025) · DOI: 10.3303/cet25119081

Resumen

Light pollution, primarily derived from the excessive use of illuminated panels in outdoor advertising, has a significant economic and environmental impact. In economic terms, unnecessary energy consumption increases companies' operating costs and contributes to resource waste. In environmental terms, this pollution alters ecosystems, affects biodiversity, and generates a larger carbon footprint, accelerating climate change. Furthermore, excessive artificial light affects human health, disrupting natural sleep cycles. Combating this phenomenon involves reducing energy consumption and promoting more sustainable advertising solutions. This study seeks to quantify the energy waste of advertising panels on a specific street, analysing only daylight lighting schedules. There is no exact data on the number of illuminated panels on Alfredo Mendiola Avenue, one of the largest public thoroughfares in Lima. It is estimated that there are approximately 1,015 outdoor advertising elements of various types and sizes (signs or panels), of which 11 illuminated panels existed at the time of the research in the study area. The results indicate that each panel, with the most common characteristics, consumes between 8.62 kWh and 72.23 kWh of energy, which generates a significant impact on the environment through CO2 generation and wasted energy expenditure. The results obtained will generate relevant information to promote more efficient energy use in outdoor advertising and avoid energy waste, contributing to environmental sustainability and cost reduction. Copyright

Instituciones: Universidad Nacional Mayor de San Marcos; Universidad César Vallejo