Fonroche Street Lights Selected for Clark County’s Las Vegas Neighborhoods

Repair costs for these thefts have exceeded $1.5 million, creating a financial burden that the county can no longer sustain.

The theft of copper wire has left many areas without adequate lighting, exacerbating safety issues for both residents and businesses. In response, Clark County, in partnership with Fonroche Lighting America, initiated a pilot project to install solar-powered streetlights in areas most affected by the thefts. These solar streetlights offer a sustainable, theft-resistant solution that eliminates reliance on copper wiring and provides long-term cost savings.

Michael Naft, a Clark County Commissioner, remarked, “The theft of copper wire is leaving neighborhoods in the dark and costing taxpayers a fortune. That’s why we’re working to enhance enforcement, strengthen laws, and innovate”. Solar streetlights are an innovative, long-term solution that addresses both the immediate safety concerns and the county’s broader sustainability goals.

Copper theft has been a growing problem in municipalities across the United States, but Clark County has been particularly affected. The rising value of copper has made public infrastructure a prime target for thieves. Since 2022, nearly 1 million feet of copper wire have been stolen from streetlights in East Las Vegas alone, leaving entire neighborhoods without lighting and creating significant public safety concerns.

The financial toll has been staggering. Each time a streetlight is stripped of copper wiring, it costs approximately $7,000 to repair, with the cost of copper wiring alone reaching $70 per foot. The cycle of theft and repair has drained Clark County’s public works budget, forcing them to continuously repair the same infrastructure without a long-term solution in place.

Beyond the financial strain, the safety implications are severe. Darkened streets increase the risk of criminal activity and traffic accidents. Local law enforcement noted, “The absence of lighting in these areas has contributed to increased crime, creating a serious public safety issue for residents and visitors”.

Beyond the financial strain, the safety implications are severe. Darkened streets increase the risk of criminal activity and traffic accidents. Local law enforcement noted, “The absence of lighting in these areas has contributed to increased crime, creating a serious public safety issue for residents and visitors”.

While the solar streetlights offer a solution to the copper theft epidemic, the prolonged lack of lighting has already created serious concerns for the local community, affecting both safety and quality of life.

Immediate Visibility Improvements and Safer Streets

Following installation, previously dark corridors in East Las Vegas are now fully illuminated, significantly improving nighttime conditions. The upgraded lighting enhances driver awareness, shortens reaction times, and improves the visibility of pedestrians and roadway hazards.

At locations like Palm Street & E. St. Louis Avenue, the transformation has been immediate—restoring safe navigation where lighting had been absent for years and reducing safety risks for both motorists and residents.

Safer Neighborhoods and Improved Quality of Life

Reliable, all-night lighting has increased confidence among residents and improved the overall sense of safety in affected communities. Enhanced illumination supports safer walking conditions, reduces crime-related concerns, and contributes to a more livable neighborhood environment.

Community feedback highlights the impact as a meaningful step toward restoring public infrastructure and improving daily life.

Elimination of Copper Theft Vulnerability

By removing underground wiring entirely, the system eliminates the root cause of repeated outages:

• No copper infrastructure to steal
• No recurring repair cycles
• No costly replacements or downtime

This shift protects public assets while ensuring long-term reliability.

Fonroche’s SmartLight Essential system provides lighting independence, with no trenching, no grid hookup, and zero maintenance for over 10 years. Additional outcomes include:

• No utility costs or energy bills
• Over 90% product recyclability
• NiMH batteries that are 98% recyclable
• Zero outages during weather or grid failure

For Hardee County’s public works team, the solution delivered immediate results and long-term relief from recurring maintenance burdens, while supporting the County’s sustainability goals.

Clark County’s pilot project with Fonroche Lighting America has been a significant success. By installing solar-powered streetlights that do not rely on copper wiring, the county has not only reduced theft but also introduced a sustainable, long-term solution that aligns with its environmental goals. These streetlights have improved public safety, reduced maintenance costs, and provided the county with a more resilient infrastructure solution that is less vulnerable to theft and power outages. 

As cities across the U.S. continue to face rising energy costs, aging infrastructure, and environmental challenges, Clark County’s experience demonstrates that solar-powered streetlights offer a practical, cost-effective alternative. Solar lighting can address immediate issues like copper theft while providing long-term savings and contributing to sustainability goals. The success of this project sets a new standard for urban infrastructure, proving that solar technology is not only viable but also essential for creating greener, more resilient cities.