Solar streetlights help 30 neighborhoods illuminate, City cut costs

Solar streetlights help 30 neighborhoods illuminate, City cut costs

Published on June 17, 2025

Fonroche Lighting America has partnered with the City of Fort Worth to supply over 3,400 solar-powered streetlights as part of the City's "Support the Neighborhood LED Streetlight Capital Project." This initiative, funded by $12 million allocated through the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA), aims to improve safety, sustainability and community infrastructure across 30 neighborhoods citywide, while saving the City more than $3 million annually in energy costs.

What's new: The project involves replacing outdated or inoperable lighting systems with Fonroche's solar streetlights in neighborhoods with high pedestrian activity or adjacent to schools, parks and other community hubs. Neighborhoods were chosen based upon these scoring categories:

• Existing lighting equipment type and age
• Roadway type adjacent to the lighting
• Pedestrian generator location
• Equity

Designed and engineered by Fonroche, the solar lights will dramatically reduce environmental impact and operating costs while delivering consistent lighting 365 nights per year, even during power outages.

The solar lights, equipped with Fonroche's Power 365 battery systems, are designed to perform reliably in extreme temperatures ranging from -40 degrees Fahrenheit to 158 degrees Fahrenheit. They also feature an "All Night Lighting Guarantee," which ensures uninterrupted illumination throughout the night. Lastly, the lights eliminate the need for grid connections, providing substantial cost savings, zero energy consumption and significantly reduced carbon emissions compared to traditional streetlights.

The rollout is occurring in phases, with notable progress already achieved. Since the program's launch in 2023, 1,123 traditional streetlights have been converted to solar-powered systems. The neighborhoods of Eastland, Glen Park, Morningside, Near East Side, Rosemont, Ryan Place, South Hills and others benefited from these improvements in 2024.

Why it matters: During the summer of 2025, 1,000 additional lights are being installed in areas such as Overton South, South Hemphill Heights, Westcreek Central, Polytechnic Heights, Highland Hills and Wedgwood East. Upcoming installations in 2025 will focus on neighborhoods like Central Meadowbrook, Oakridge Terrace, Historic Stop Six, Brentwood-Oak Hills and Parker Essex Boaz. The full project is on track for completion by 2026, ensuring all 30 neighborhoods receive upgraded solar lighting.

These efforts address longstanding concerns about Fort Worth's lighting infrastructure. A 2023 community survey revealed just 40% satisfaction among residents regarding street lighting, which lagged national averages. Fonroche's solar streetlights are helping bridge this gap by enhancing visibility and alleviating safety concerns in high-need areas.

"From forming strategic partnerships with industry leaders to adopting evolving energy technologies, our focus is on setting Fort Worth apart as a leader in innovation and opportunity," said Mayor Mattie Parker.

Go deeper: Fonroche Lighting America is a global leader in solar-powered lighting solutions, providing sustainable, cost-effective and maintenance-free solutions to municipalities and organizations nationwide. Their innovative technology is transforming urban and infrastructure lighting with cutting-edge, long-lasting systems that reduce carbon emissions while improving safety and accessibility.

Photo: The solar streetlight rollout is occurring in phases. Since 2023, 1,123 traditional streetlights have been converted to solar-powered systems.

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