A light emitting device (1) is provided that can be used in various contexts, including the context of realizing an anti-fouling action on surfaces. The light emitting device (1) comprises light emitting units (10) being arranged in a plane filling pattern (20) for covering at least a substantial portion of a surface. Individual light emitting units (10) are electrically interconnected through connection areas (12, 13) as present on the light emitting units (10) for providing electrical access to an internal electrical circuit (11) thereof, wherein the light emitting units (10) overlap at the positions of at least portions of the connection areas (12, 13) thereof. Further, it may be so that at least one of the connection areas (12, 13) of the individual light emitting units (10) is electrically connected simultaneously to respective connection areas (12, 13) of at least two other light emitting units (10).