This document discusses light pollution and a new window film technology called Praesidio that aims to reduce light pollution. Some key points: - Light pollution is increasing and impacts human health, wildlife, and our view of the night sky. - Praesidio window film is designed to absorb harmful wavelengths of light going above the horizon while maintaining visibility. It uses a bioplastic base and silver nanoparticles. - The production process aims to be sustainable and minimize waste. Silver nanoparticles are sourced naturally from leaves. - Praesidio could help buildings achieve certifications like LEED and reduce energy costs associated with temperature control. - For the technology to be widely adopted, policies need

2. “...as light pollution spreads, we are slowly losing one of the
oldest and most universal links to all of human history.”
-Peter Lipscomb, astronomer

3. What causes light pollution?
● Any light going above the horizon scatters through
particles in the atmosphere and produces skyglow.
● That skyglow decreases visibility of stars in the night sky
and has been linked to alterations in migratory patterns of
birds and human circadian rhythms.
● Some studies even suggest human health problems like
breast cancer can be linked to increased light exposure

4. What can we do about it?
● International Dark Sky Association (IDA) certifies external
light fixtures that shield light from going above the horizon
● Initiatives have also tried to to install motion sensors and
timers to turn light off when not needed.
● However, in some areas, like the UVA dormitories shown,
light is necessary for people’s safety and many businesses
need to operate at night.
● The best solution is to apply the same shielding technology
to building windows.

5. Light Pollution Preventing Window Film
● Our Patent Pending technology is designed to absorb the most harmful
wavelengths of light going above the horizon and maintain people’s view into or
out of a building.
● Consists of :
○ 1. Bioplastic base film that absorbs UV light
○ 2. “microblinds” containing silver nanoparticles to absorb light emitted above the horizon
● Silver nanoparticles absorb the most harmful wavelengths of visible light
contributing to sky glow.

6. A Fully Sustainable Process
● Research: to cut costs and to allow experimentation, some
processes were required that might have
● In Production: Minimal Waste,
alternatives to harmful processes,
recycling of old products and proper
disposal.

7. Production Process
● Solar and Wind Power Sourcing
● Eliminate use of harmful solvents
● Source Silver Nanoparticles naturally from
Leaves
● Establish a recycling system
● Pyrolysis facility for unrecyclable plastics

8. Building Certifications
● IDA has expressed interest in certification
● Envision has existing Light pollution provisions we
fit into
● We’ve been in contact with LEED to navigate
existing system with potential for updates!

9. Impact Performance Measurement
Qualitative Measurement
● Light pollution disturbs circadian rhythms, disrupts ecosystems, and wastes energy
○ Effects are broad and hard to quantify
○ Reduction in light pollution helps restore natural equilibrium in animals and humans
Quantitative Measurement
● Current thermal window film products can reduce temperature control cost by up to
40%, Praesido’s passive solar capabilities are projected to exceed 40% savings
○ Lower temperature control costs reduces energy usage which lowers carbon footprint
○ Heating efficiency is part of LEED criteria
○ Praesido can be retrofitted on any window, helping new and old buildings achieve LEED
certification

10. Material Selection
● Praesido film is made primarily of bioplastic and silver nanoparticles
○ Bioplastics are made from renewable biomass sources
○ Sustainable methods of production of silver nanoparticles are being developed
● Using bioplastics helps aid the shift away from fossil fuel based products

11. Market Potential and Value
● Window films represent a market of 7.93 billion USD in 2015
○ Expected to grow at 5.21% from 2018-2022
● Currently there is no window film available that specialize in reducing light pollution
● More cities are requiring LEED certification on all new buildings and retrofitting older
buildings to be LEED certified
● Percentage of people living in cities is expected to increase to 67% by 2050
○ Increased need to address health and wellness problems of city life

12. How does public policy play into the design and
implementation?
● Policy is about navigating constituent preferences
and political agendas
● Getting policy passed to promote the use of
Praesidio involves understanding who the
policymakers in power are and what individual
interests they represent

13. Potential Political Arenas for Praesidio
● Energy
● Ecology
● Public Safety/Crime
● Human Health

14. Existing Policy in the US
● The majority of major night light related bills have been introduced to
the Congress and await further action
○ Most relate to outdoor lighting legislation or mega-constellation regulation
■ EXAMPLE: March 2020 Update to the Regulations Implementing
the Procedural Provisions of the National Environmental Policy
Act regarding mega-constellations in public comment period

15. Comparative policies across the globe
● EU:
○ revision of the EU Green Public Procurement Criteria for Road Lighting and Traffic
Signals
● Mexico:
○ “Decree for the reform and addition of various provisions of the general law of
ecological balance and the protection of the environment”
● France:
○ The “Decree of 27 December 2018 on the prevention, reduction and limitation of
light pollution”
● Australia:
○ September 2019: “National Light Pollution Guidelines for Wildlife including Marine
Turtles, Seabirds and Migratory Shorebirds” is in public comment stage
○ February 2019: City of Maroondah, Victoria (Australia) Draft Public Lighting Policy
in public comment stage

16. Policy Avenues for change:
States:
● February 2019: City of Reno, Nevada
proposes luminance limits for types of
electronic signs
● February 2019: Lakewood Village, Texas
works on eligibility for international dark
sky community status
● Letter supporting amendments to the New
York State Energy Code concerning
shielding and spectrum management of
outdoor lighting installations
Federal:
● Through Congress
○ Committee on Banking,
Housing and Urban
Affairs
○ Committee on Energy
and Natural Resources
○ Committee on
Environment and Public
Works
● Through an executive power
unilateral move

17. Policy Strategies and Mechanisms:
Strategies:
● Americans care about,
prioritize and support policies
related to security
● Framing light pollution as a
public safety hazard is thus an
effective means of pushing
that policy forward
Mechanisms:
● Omnibus Bill
● Policy Appropriations Rider
● Lobbying agency regulations

18. Potential existing policy places to include
Praesidio Windows technology:
● PACE Financing
● On-Bill Financing
● Green Revolving Loan Fund

19. What We Can Create

21. “In these countless stars, in their clusters and colors and
constellations, in the ‘shooting’ showers of blazing dust and ice, we
have always found beauty. And in this beauty, the overwhelming size of
the universe has seemed less ominous, earth’s own beauty more
incredible.”-Paul Bogard, author of “The End of Night”