Solar streetlights unveiled in North Hollywood

New solar streetlights have been deployed in North Hollywood as part of Los Angeles City Council’s Streetlights Initiative that will repair and replace up to 60,000 streetlights citywide over the next two years.

The programme, which harnesses new solar streetlight technology, will help bolster public safety, cut Los Angeles’ decade-long backlog of streetlight repairs, combat copper wire theft, and reduce LA’s energy consumption while helping accelerate the City’s transition to 100 per cent clean energy by 2035.

“Kick it in the Park” sites

Since mayor Karen Bass made the announcement in March, hundreds have already been installed near parks across the city, including “Kick it in the Park” sites for Angelenos to watch free soccer matches next month.

“These are the basics that shape how we feel about our city, and whether our city is safe,” said mayor Bass. “The streetlight backlog that piled up before I took office is unacceptable – we’re addressing it and making it safer for people to walk their dogs, come home from work, and park their cars at night.

“If you want to create spaces that people can utilise, you need to make sure that they feel safe, and that takes secure reliable lighting”

Bass continued: “Instead of continuing to patch together antiquated streetlight technology, we’re using solar to make our lights more reliable, resistant to theft, and cleaner to operate.”

Solar streetlights equipped with integrated battery storage can provide dependable illumination even during grid disruptions, strengthening the city’s resilience. Solar streetlights also do not utilise copper wire and are therefore less vulnerable to theft, more cost-effective over time, and help reduce emissions.