Texas Company Sets World Record Installing 70 Solar Lights

Imagine lighting three miles of highway in less time than it takes to binge-watch a TV series. That's exactly what happened in Rowlett, Texas, where Fonroche Lighting just earned a Guinness World Record.

Last October, the company's crew installed 70 solar streetlights across three major roads in 10 hours and 35 minutes. It's the fastest solar streetlight installation ever recorded, and it's changing how cities think about lighting.

The project illuminated State Highway 66, Rowlett Road, and Dalrock Road at half the cost of the city's original $2.8 million utility proposal. City Manager David Hall put it perfectly: "Lighting three roads for the price of one speaks to every official and taxpayer."

These aren't your typical solar lights that dim after cloudy days. Fonroche's systems work 365 nights a year, even in extreme climates. They've proven themselves everywhere from Chile's scorching Atacama Desert to Switzerland's snowy ski slopes.

The speed matters more than ever. When California wildfires struck in January 2025, Fonroche installed hundreds of lights in just 24 hours, restoring safety to neighborhoods with damaged power grids. Traditional utility projects can take weeks or months.

Cities across America are taking notice. San Antonio now has 1,200+ solar streetlights installed. Las Vegas is rolling out 500 lights to eliminate copper wire theft and keep streets lit during outages.

The Ripple Effect

This record isn't just about speed. It's about access. Remote areas, disaster zones, and communities tired of trenching costs can now get reliable lighting without waiting for grid connections.

The technology is already working in 50+ countries and across 43 U.S. states. From the Maui Airport to NASA's Glenn Center, solar streetlights are proving they can handle any environment.

Fort Worth-based Fonroche Lighting America operates five regional hubs to support rapid installations nationwide. Their record-breaking day in Rowlett shows what's possible when innovation meets urgency.

The future of street lighting might not involve power lines at all.