Street lighting is essential for public safety, transportation, and urban development — but many cities face growing challenges. Rising energy costs, aging infrastructure, and pressure to meet environmental targets make it harder to maintain effective lighting systems.
While traditional grid-powered streetlights remain common, new technology is reshaping the landscape. Solar-powered LED street lights now offer a more resilient, low-maintenance, and cost-effective alternative — and Fonroche Lighting America is leading the way.
With installations across more than 40 countries and throughout the U.S., Fonroche provides communities with high-performance solar lighting that works 365 nights a year — without trenching, outages, or ongoing utility costs.
This guide explores the most common types of street lights used today and helps infrastructure professionals evaluate which solution best fits their long-term goals.
Table of Contents
Why Lighting Type Matters for Roadway Infrastructure
Street lights don’t just provide illumination — they shape how safe, walkable, and sustainable a city feels after dark. Selecting the wrong lighting system can result in:
- Increased maintenance costs
- Safety hazards due to outages or poor visibility
- Difficulty meeting sustainability and equity goals
- Long-term budget overruns due to energy and infrastructure expenses
Choosing the right type of lighting begins with understanding the differences in technology — and their practical implications for installation, maintenance, and performance in the field.
Click Here to Learn Many Cities Are Rethinking Street Lighting Infrastructure.
Quick Comparison: Street Lighting Technologies at a Glance
| Lighting Type | Lifespan-Light Source* | System Notes | CRI | Common Uses |
| Grid-Tied LED | 50k–100k hrs | Efficient but requires trenching & grid | 80–90 | Cities, urban arterials |
| Solar LED (Fonroche) | 50k–100k hrs | Grid-free, trench-free, with Power 365® | 70–90 | Roads, intersections, rural areas |
| High-Pressure Sodium | ~24k hrs | Low CRI, being phased out | 20–30 | Legacy highways |
| Metal Halide | ~15k–20k hrs | Bright but short-lived | 60–90 | Stadiums, commercial zones |
| Mercury Vapor | ~12k–24k hrs | Inefficient and outdated | 20–50 | Older systems, industrial sites |
| Induction | 60k–100k hrs | Long life, niche application | 80–90 | Tunnels, hard-to-access areas |
| Incandescent / Halogen | <2k hrs | Decorative only | 100 | Historic districts, legacy posts |
*LED modules have consistent lifespans across grid and solar systems. Total system life depends on components like batteries (solar) or drivers (grid).
The Past
The Future
Understanding the Main Types of Street Lights
Grid-Tied LED Street Lights
Overview:
LED (Light Emitting Diode) streetlights have become the go-to replacement for legacy lighting due to their energy efficiency and long lifespan. Grid-tied LED systems are powered through traditional utility infrastructure and require trenching and wiring.
Strengths:
- High efficacy (100–200+ lumens per watt)
- Long lifespan (up to 100,000 hours)
- Strong color rendering (CRI 80–90)
- Compatible with modern optics and control systems
Limitations:
- Requires trenching, cabling, and grid connectivity
- Vulnerable to power outages and utility rate increases
- Still requires driver replacements and routine maintenance
- May be impacted by permitting delays and underground conflicts
Common Applications:
Urban roadways, collector streets, downtown corridors
How It Compares to Solar LED:
Grid-tied LED offers strong performance, but when installation constraints or long-term costs are a concern, solar-powered LED lighting delivers equal illumination with none of the trenching or utility dependency.
Solar LED Street Lights (Fonroche Lighting America)
Overview:
Solar-powered LED systems use photovoltaic panels to charge integrated batteries that power LED luminaires — operating completely off-grid. Fonroche’s systems include Power 365® technology, delivering reliable lighting 365 nights a year, regardless of weather or sunlight variability.
Strengths:
- Grid-free, trench-free installation
- Operates independently of outages or utility failures
- 10+ year maintenance-free battery system
- LoRa remote monitoring and smart control
- Faster permitting, deployment, and scalability
Limitations:
- Slightly higher upfront investment (offset by lower total cost of ownership)
- Performance depends on proper siting and system design
Common Applications:
Rural roads, city streets, intersections, tribal and federal lands, climate-resilient projects
How It Compares:
Solar LED from Fonroche is the only street lighting solution that provides full-performance illumination without trenching, outages, or recurring electricity costs — making it ideal for municipalities focused on resilience, equity, and sustainability.
High-Pressure Sodium (HPS)
Overview:
HPS street lights emit a yellow-orange glow and were once widely used for their long life and low upfront costs. However, they suffer from poor visibility and are now being replaced in most urban areas.
Strengths:
- Long operational life (~24,000 hours)
- Inexpensive to purchase and install
- Reliable in cold weather conditions
Limitations:
- Very low CRI (20–30), distorts color recognition
- Poor visibility for drivers and pedestrians
- High light pollution and environmental impact
- Incompatible with smart lighting controls
Common Applications:
Older highways, parking areas, legacy roadway systems
How It Compares to Solar LED:
HPS may still exist in older grids, but solar LED provides vastly better visibility, energy efficiency, and environmental compliance — especially critical for Vision Zero and smart city initiatives.
Metal Halide
Overview:
Metal halide lamps emit bright white light with decent color rendering but suffer from high maintenance requirements and a relatively short life span. They’re rarely used in new roadway projects.
Strengths:
- High light output and CRI (60–90)
- Better color visibility than HPS
- Good vertical illumination for signage or objects
Limitations:
- Shorter lifespan (~15k–20k hours)
- High energy consumption
- Long warm-up time
- Poor long-term efficiency
Common Applications:
Sports complexes, industrial zones, older commercial developments
How It Compares to Solar LED:
Metal halide may offer brightness, but its short life and inefficiency can’t compete with the longevity and low operating cost of solar LED systems.
Mercury Vapor
Overview:
Mercury vapor lights were widely used in the mid-20th century but are now largely obsolete. They emit a bluish light and are being phased out due to their inefficiency and environmental hazards.
Strengths:
- Durable housing
- Low upfront cost (historically)
Limitations:
- Poor CRI and color rendering (20–50)
- Inefficient light output
- Contains mercury (environmental hazard)
- Not compliant with many modern codes
Common Applications:
Industrial parks, outdated infrastructure, some legacy municipal systems
How It Compares to Solar LED:
Solar LED lights offer dramatically better efficiency, visibility, and environmental performance, making mercury vapor lights an outdated choice for today’s cities.
Induction Lighting
Overview:
Induction lamps use electromagnetic fields to generate light, offering long operational life with minimal maintenance. While rare, they are sometimes used in tunnels or areas with limited access.
Strengths:
- Extremely long lifespan (60k–100k hours)
- Good cold-weather performance
- Low maintenance needs
Limitations:
- High initial cost
- Limited availability and support
- Slower adoption due to more flexible LED alternatives
Common Applications:
Tunnels, tall-mount fixtures, transportation hubs
How It Compares to Solar LED:
For most surface streets and intersections, solar LED systems offer the same longevity and greater flexibility, without the cost or limitations of niche induction systems.
Incandescent and Halogen
Overview:
These legacy lighting systems are virtually obsolete in modern infrastructure, with the exception of decorative fixtures or historically preserved districts.
Strengths:
- High CRI (excellent color rendering)
- Simple and inexpensive for small-scale use
- Familiar warm glow
Limitations:
- Extremely short lifespan (<2,000 hours)
- High energy consumption
- Poor light distribution for public roadways
- No longer permitted in many jurisdictions
Common Applications:
Historic preservation areas, decorative lamp posts, some parks or walkways
How It Compares to Solar LED:
Solar LED provides modern efficiency, better optics, and durability while offering tunable color temperatures to match aesthetic goals — with far fewer drawbacks.
Where Modern Lighting Systems Fit Best
When it comes to roadway infrastructure, solar-powered LED systems are no longer niche — they’re the preferred choice for performance, resilience, and cost-efficiency. Whether you’re lighting a rural two-lane road or a major urban arterial, Fonroche Lighting America’s solar solutions are engineered to meet the same standards — without the trenching, outages, or utility coordination.
Here’s how solar LED stacks up across key public lighting applications:
| Application | Recommended Technology | Why Solar LED Wins |
| Rural roads | ✅ Solar LED | No trenching, low maintenance, resilient in remote areas |
| Remote or tribal lands | ✅ Solar LED | Works off-grid, deploys quickly, supports sovereignty |
| Urban arterial streets | ✅ Solar LED | Avoids utility disruption, supports smart city integration |
| Suburban collector streets | ✅ Solar LED | Lower install costs, zero outages, equity-focused |
| Residential roadways | ✅ Solar LED | Soft lighting options, CCT flexibility, no wiring required |
| Intersections & crossings | ✅ Solar LED | Bright, targeted optics; monitor and manage with Fonroche Connect |
| Highway on/off ramps | ✅ Solar LED | Wide-distribution beam options, trenchless installation |
| Historic districts | ✅ Solar LED | Decorative styles + dark-sky compliant, grid-free retrofits |
Fonroche solar LED systems are engineered to perform 365 nights a year — in every climate, on every road — without utility dependence.
See how these use cases come to life in our Street and Roadway Lighting application page.
Why Cities Are Moving to Solar LED Street Lighting
Municipalities across the U.S. are rethinking their approach to street lighting — and increasingly choosing solar LED as the smarter, more sustainable path forward.
It’s not just about lowering energy bills. Today’s cities are looking for systems that:
- Deliver uninterrupted lighting in emergencies
- Avoid costly trenching and permitting delays
- Resist copper theft and vandalism
- Align with equity, climate, and infrastructure goals
Fonroche Lighting America’s solar solutions are designed specifically to meet these needs — with proven performance and field-tested reliability.
365-Night Reliability with Power 365®
Most solar systems fail in the winter or during cloudy weeks. Fonroche doesn’t. Our patented Power 365® technology stores enough energy to deliver consistent lighting 365 nights a year, without compromise.
Smart Monitoring with Fonroche Connect
Remote access. Real-time insights. Fonroche Connect lets cities monitor system health, track uptime, and optimize lighting performance — all without field visits.
No Trenching, No Grid, No Disruption
Installation is trench-free, wire-free, and often completed in hours. That means faster project timelines, lower labor costs, and no impact on existing underground infrastructure.
Built for Resilience and Sustainability
Fonroche systems support:
- Clean energy goals
- Vision Zero traffic safety initiatives
- Resilient infrastructure in the face of power outages and extreme weather
Qualifies for Federal and Tribal Infrastructure Funding
Our systems are eligible for IRA, DOT, and tribal infrastructure funding — making it easier for communities to modernize without exceeding budget.
With installations in more than 40 countries and throughout the United States, Fonroche Lighting America is the trusted partner for solar street lighting that works — every night, everywhere.
Conclusion: A Future-Ready Choice for Roadway Lighting
Lighting is one of the most visible, vital investments a city can make — and the stakes are higher than ever. From public safety to sustainability to smart infrastructure, the right lighting solution must do more than illuminate. It must perform reliably, minimize cost and disruption, and adapt to evolving urban needs.
That’s why more infrastructure leaders are choosing solar-powered LED systems from Fonroche Lighting America.
Our technology is proven in the field, optimized for American municipalities, and backed by a company dedicated to helping cities build safer, cleaner, and more resilient communities.
Whether you’re working on a rural road, a high-traffic intersection, or a citywide lighting upgrade, Fonroche delivers:
- ✅ 365-night reliability with zero outages
- ✅ Smart monitoring with Fonroche Connect
- ✅ Grid-free performance with no trenching or wiring
- ✅ Long-term savings and low lifecycle costs
- ✅ Full eligibility for federal, DOT, and tribal funding
Fonroche Lighting America is more than a product — it’s a platform for energy independence, safety, and infrastructure innovation.
Ready to future-proof your city’s lighting? Talk to a municipal lighting advisor today.