• Hoogstraten Stadium

AAA-LUX LED floodlights overcome capacity problem

Professional and amateur players can continue to practice and play at the same time
Floodlights at the Hoogstraten stadium of the Belgian football club had to be reviewed following the promotion tothe Second Division. The Belgian FA demanded higher lux levels but Hoogstraten FC didn’t have sufficient funds to install additional energy generating capacity. The investment in high-power LED floodlights from AAA-LUX avoided the need for serious investments and prevented the club from being handed a penalty.
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Matches in the Belgacom League are televised weekly, requiring high-quality illumination for clear and attractive footage. The Belgian FA set minimum lighting requirements, but Hoogstraten FC’s stadium only had 200 Lux, far below the 800 Lux needed. “We had to upgrade in two stages,” says Stef van Erck. The original supplier was taken over, and technical limitations, such as insufficient energy supply, made conventional floodlights unfeasible. Hoogstraten FC faced a choice: invest heavily in energy capacity or find a more energy-efficient solution.

QUALITY KEY

Hoogstraten FC chose LED floodlights, using 36 AAA-LUX units to achieve the required 400 Lux. “The lights are mounted on the same brackets as the old floodlights, at 24m height, ensuring Class II illumination quality,” says Rene Eekhoudt of Oostendorp BVBA. The AAA-LUX LED floodlights reduce energy consumption by 40%, avoiding the need for additional energy capacity. Eekhoudt notes that AAA-LUX’s in-house manufacturing of controls, housing, and lenses ensures superior light quality and distribution, with a lifespan of at least 25,000 hours—unmatched by competitors using mixed components.

INVESTMENT WELL-WORTHWHILE

Eeckhoudt acknowledges that the upfront cost of LED lights is higher than conventional options. “However, the return on investment is achieved in just a few months due to lower energy use and minimal maintenance.” The installation at Hoogstraten FC cost €90,000, compared to an upgrade of conventional lights at €60,000. But upgrading would have required a high-voltage unit, adding another €160,000 to €200,000. Additionally, AAA-LUX LED floodlights are controlled wirelessly, eliminating the need for ground work or extra cabling, further reducing costs.

SMOOTH OPERATIONS

The LED installation has also saved Hoogstraten FC from organizational challenges. “If we had chosen conventional lights, we wouldn’t have had enough electricity to illuminate all our fields, especially on Friday nights when multiple teams train,” says Stef van Erck. With AAA-LUX LED luminaires controlled by a smart Lighting Control Management System (LCMS), the club can adjust lighting levels without sacrificing quality. This allows energy savings and ensures sufficient lighting for all fields. By dimming the lights to 60% capacity, the club can achieve 250 Lux, still more than the previous setup, while accommodating multiple teams at once.

LEAGUE OF THEIR OWN

Hoogstraten FC’s stadium was the first professional football venue worldwide to use LED floodlights, setting a global standard. “The success at Hoogstraten FC drew attention internationally,” says AAA-LUX Marketing & Sales Director of AAA-LUX. Inspired by this, Italy’s Spal 1907 upgraded to AAA-LUX LEDs after promotion to the third division. The natural light quality enhances training and match performance. Lessons from projects like Hoogstraten FC and Spal 1907 have driven the development of advanced stadium-specific LED floodlights. “It’s only a matter of time before more venues adopt LED technology.”