Many species of bats have evolved to forage in near-complete darkness and as a result tend to shy away from white LED and yellowish sodium vapor streetlights. Given that cities are full of these lights, the areas in which the animals can hunt effectively are quite limited. Additionally, the insects that the bats feed upon are attracted to the lights, drawing them into areas where the bats don't want to go.

With that in mind, Philips conducted experiments in 2017, in which they mounted red, green and white LED lights on poles in what was otherwise a dark and undisturbed natural habitat. The red lights incorporated the company's proprietary ClearField technology, which was developed in collaboration with the Netherlands University of Wageningen and other non-government organisations.

It was found that while bats avoided the green and white lights, they were undisturbed by the red ones. According to the company, this was because those lights utilise “A special light recipe that is perceived by bats as darkness, yet provides enough illumination for residents”, adding that the lights “Use a wavelength that doesn't interfere with a bat's internal compass”.

Zuidhoek-Nieuwkoop, which is a known feeding ground for rare species of bats, has now installed the lights on the streets of an 89-house sustainable housing development.