Light:Guard Gmbh
About us
Wind turbines are equipped with obstruction lights to be visible in the dark for air traffic. Those obstruction lights blink from dusk till dawn, no matter if an aircraft is nearby or not. This constant blinking has proven to be an obstacle in the acceptance of wind power.
To stop the unnecessary blinking and to make the night sky dark again, there is a technology called Aircraft Detection Lighting System or Aviation Detection and Obstacle Lighting System, ADLS for short.
Through ADLS, it is possible to turn off the blinking obstruction lights of wind farms. This is done by monitoring the airspace around a windfarm. The obstruction lights of the wind turbines are only activated when an aircraft is in the vicinity.
In Germany, the use of ADLS on wind turbines is required by law. Following a recent extension, the implementation deadline for operators is January 1, 2025. With this expertise, we are committed to bringing ADLS to other countries as well.
The light:guard system for Aircraft Detection Lighting System is type-tested and meets IEC and ICAO standards. We already equipped some wind farms abroad with our ADL system and would be more than happy to provide you with a customized solution.
In addition, we now offer an external shutdown system, such as for mowing shutdown—also available as a bundle with the ADLS.
turbines under contract
receivers installed
wind farms turned dark
adls
Every flying object is obligated to send out transponder signals to be identifiable. Those are being received by the light:guard receivers.
The system receives continuous data from all receivers at once and is therefore able to achieve a higher network coverage than each individual receiver would by itself.
This leads to a better signal quality and higher light-off times for each wind turbine, especially in areas with high air traffic or large wind farms.
Aviation safety, nature conservation, and resident protection—the wind energy industry faces a daily balancing act between these three requirements. While air traffic control relies on reliable obstacle marking, residents and conservation groups have a legitimate interest in minimizing unnecessary light pollution.
As a system integrator for the wind energy sector, Light:Guard strikes precisely this balance: With our light:guard Aircraft Detection Lighting System , we ensure that wind turbines are only blinking when truly necessary—and not a second longer.
In addition, with the Light:Guard Shutdown Control, we offer a solution for event-based shutdowns of turbines, such as mowing shutdowns—also available as a bundle with the ADLS system.
Wind turbines flash from dusk until dawn, regardless of whether there is an aircraft nearby or not. To put an end to this and restore darkness to the night sky, there is a technology called Aircraft Detection Lighting System, or ADLS for short. This involves monitoring the airspace around a wind farm and activating the obstruction lights only when an aircraft is nearby.
The use of ADLS on wind turbines in Germany has been mandatory under the EEG since the beginning of 2025. For operators, this means that all turbines must be retrofitted by January 1, 2025. New wind farms must be equipped with a fully functional ADLS system upon commissioning.
With the light:guard system, we offer a turnkey complete solution for operators: from obtaining permits and installation to technical support throughout the entire service life of the turbine. For turbines from Nordex and Vestas, our system can also be installed directly at the factory.
External shutdown is a key component of safe and environmentally sound wind farm control. It ensures that wind turbines are stopped automatically or manually in the event of certain incidents.
Wind farm operators may, for example, be required to install a system for mowing-related shutdowns. The German Armed Forces are also authorized to stop wind farms or individual turbines via remote control. The same applies to helicopter flights, takeoffs, and landings at low altitudes in and around the wind farm. Additionally, consideration must be given to residents if they are affected by shadow flicker or noise pollution.
With the Light:Guard Shutdown Control, you can implement these requirements intelligently, flexibly, and transparently. The system responds to external signals via sensor or app and converts them into clear control commands. This ensures your turbines are shut down promptly and precisely as soon as external conditions require it—completely automatically and with a log.
During mowing, the system selectively shuts down wind turbines to protect people, animals, and vehicles in the work area. The shutdown can be initiated manually via an app or automatically based on defined zones or sensor data.
The system automatically responds to signals from the Armed Forces and shuts down affected wind turbines for the duration of the operation. This ensures that the radars are not interfered with and that flight safety is maintained.
When rescue or transport helicopters approach at low altitude, affected systems are automatically shut down. This ensures that pilots, emergency responders, and infrastructure remain optimally protected at all times.
Residents can shut down the wind turbine if they are affected by shadow flicker or noise. This increases acceptance in the region and improves the quality of life for those living near the wind farm.
The latest developments on the subject of ADLS
Here you will find everything you need to know about the legal situation regarding on-demand night-time marking in Germany and elsewhere. Also: our press releases and events. It’s worth taking a look!
5th January 2026
The UK Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) has published Edition 7 of CAP 764: CAA Policy and Guidelines on Wind Turbines, formally permitting the use of Aviation Detection Lighting Systems (ADLS) on wind turbines from 17th December 2025. The update marks a major regulatory milestone for the UK wind industry, enabling developers to significantly reduce the visual impact of obstacle lighting while maintaining aviation safety.
4th December 2025
On the 4th of December we held a webinar on the topic of Aircraft Detection Lighting Systems (ADLS) internationally.
In this session, our experts and international partners provided an overview on ADLS across multiple countries, addressing regulatory frameworks, technical implementation, and practical project experience.
If you missed the webinar or would like to review the content, you can do so here:
11th September 2025
The Nordex Group and Light:Guard are entering into a partnership. The core of the partnership is to equip new Nordex wind farms being built in Germany with the light:guard Aircraft Detection Lighting System, or ADLS for short.
Want to play an active role in shaping the energy transition and contribute your own perspective? Why not join Light:Guard?