Why Communities Are Replacing Outdated Court Lighting
Outdoor recreation courts are some of the hardest-working assets in any public park system. They serve as hubs for fitness, youth programming, casual play, and community events. But many of them are still lit—or left unlit—by outdated systems that no longer meet the needs of modern public spaces.
Aging poles, cracked wiring, high-maintenance fixtures, or no lighting at all can limit access, safety, and usage. In many cases, extending or upgrading grid-connected lighting simply isn’t practical—especially in parks, schoolyards, or community spaces. That’s why more municipalities are turning to solar.
Fonroche solar lighting allows planners to deliver full-performance LED court lighting with:
- No trenching
- No utility delays
- No recurring maintenance
The result: fast, future-proof upgrades that keep courts open longer and safer, without the burden of traditional electrical infrastructure.
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Assessing Your Site for Solar Lighting Compatibility
One of the most common questions planners ask is: Will solar lighting work on our site? The answer is almost always yes—with the right system design.
Fonroche begins every project with a customized site assessment that accounts for solar exposure, court layout, and local weather patterns. Using 10+ years of historical solar data and in-house PV modeling tools, we calculate whether your site receives enough sunlight to fully power high-output LED lights—365 nights a year.
What makes a site solar-ready?
- Open access to sunlight (ideal for parks, schools, and community spaces)
- Court size and use (basketball, pickleball, tennis, or mixed-use)
- Orientation and shading from trees, buildings, or structures
- Usage profile (seasonal vs. year-round, peak evening play, etc.)
- Access for pole placement without trenching
Fonroche solar lighting can be configured to match nearly any court layout—delivering full illumination even in winter or cloudy regions. Once compatibility is confirmed, planners can move forward with confidence, knowing the system is designed for performance—not guesswork.
Understanding Lighting Requirements for Recreational Courts
Not all courts require the same lighting specs—but all benefit from smart, intentional design.
Basketball courts typically require higher, more uniform lighting to support fast movement and visibility of the ball in flight. Pickleball and tennis courts may need lower glare and tighter beam control to prevent spillover. Skateparks and multi-use spaces benefit from even coverage with wide distribution optics.
Fonroche engineers use site-specific photometric modeling to determine the optimal:
- Pole height and spacing (often 15–20 feet)
- Optic type and beam spread
- LED output (in watts and lumens)
- Light color temperature (3000K–4000K for safety and comfort)
- Adaptive profiles for dimming or motion-based control
Our systems are designed to meet IESNA Class III and IV lighting standards for recreational courts—without over lighting or creating harsh contrasts. The result is better gameplay, fewer safety complaints, and improved user experience.
And because every light is solar-powered and independently operated, lighting can be customized without running wires or adding complex controls.
Planning for Speed, Simplicity, and Scalability
One of the biggest advantages of Fonroche SmartLight systems is how quickly and cleanly they can be deployed—especially compared to grid-tied lighting projects that often stall due to permitting, trenching, or utility delays.
Fonroche simplifies the entire upgrade process:
- No trenching or underground wiring
Lights are installed directly on pole footings with no need for conduit, electrical panels, or grid tie-ins. - Install in under an hour per pole
Systems arrive pre-configured and tested, reducing on-site labor. - No wait for utility coordination
Because the system is fully off-grid, there’s no delay for permits or inspections tied to local utilities. - Scalable and repeatable deployment
Cities and districts can start with a single court and expand lighting to additional facilities over time—without changing design strategy.
For municipalities working with limited budgets or tight timelines, solar upgrades with Fonroche provide unmatched agility. Once the study is complete, most installations move from delivery to nighttime-ready within days—not months.
Bringing It All Together—Lighting That Moves With Your Community
Recreational courts are more than play spaces—they’re where communities come together. They support public health, neighborhood safety, and youth engagement. Lighting these courts effectively shouldn’t be complicated, slow, or expensive. Fonroche Lighting America makes it simple.
With no reliance on grid infrastructure, every system is engineered to meet the real demands of public recreation: reliability, visibility, ease of maintenance, and cost-efficiency. From planning and funding to deployment and operation, Fonroche streamlines every step of the upgrade process.
Whether you’re modernizing a city park, expanding school facilities, or improving access in a rural community, solar lighting offers a future-ready solution that grows with you—court by court, season after season.
Reach out to a Fonroche Lighting America Team Member to start the journey to brighter recreational courts.