Historically the technology emerged in the early 2000s as a response to the rising demand for energy‑efficient street lighting and for lighting installations that do not require the use of cables or electrical infrastructure on the interior of buildings. The first commercial kits appeared in Finland and Scandinavian markets, where climatic conditions favor the use of durable, weather‑proof fixtures. Production has since expanded to include a range of colours, intensity levels and installation methods, including adhesive backing, screw‑in mounting, or integration into roof‑joint systems.
Technical specifications vary by manufacturer, but typical units support operating voltages between 12 V and 48 V, use high‑life LED diodes, and are rated for at least 5,000 hours of guaranteed life. They are typically rated IP65 or better for protection against dust and spray water. Common configurations include strip‑type panels with 10–20 LEDs, 1‑kW panels that can replace conventional street lamps, and modular panels that can be lengthened by a plural number of units.
Applications are wide ranging. Municipalities adopt them for street or parking‑lot lighting, because they provide uniform illumination and lower maintenance costs. Commercial rooftop decks use them for decorative lighting, while photovoltaic installations sometimes integrate katedamafenlamput to provide daylight without additional power consumption. Because they sit externally, they avoid internal wiring, lowering construction costs.
Advantages include energy efficiency, low heat generation, independence from interior wiring, flexibility of placement and a reduced need for routine maintenance. Drawbacks mainly revolve around initial cost, the need for waterproof seals and the potential for accidental damage during construction or cleaning activities.
In research literature, katedamafenlamput are cited as part of a broader effort to make urban lighting more sustainable. The technology continues to evolve with the introduction of smart‑lighting features such as motion detection, colour‑change ability and integration with municipal lighting networks.