Business · Companies · 3 hrs ago
Copper cable thefts open a market for French solar streetlights in Los Angeles
Copper cable thefts have become a serious problem in some US cities, including Los Angeles, where thefts have disabled streetlights.
Around 30,000 of the city's 200,000 streetlights are out, due to cable theft or other maintenance problems.
The city says it takes an average of 12 months to replace a faulty light, and stolen cables are often taken again after repairs.
French company Fonroche Lighting is selling solar streetlights that work without a connection to the electrical grid.
The company says the lights are quick to install and can avoid the vulnerability of cables, helping it gain ground in the United States since 2023.
The opportunity could involve a market worth hundreds of millions of dollars, though the text does not say that Fonroche has secured a contract in Los Angeles.
Copper cable thefts have helped French solar streetlight company Fonroche Lighting expand in the United States, including in Los Angeles.
About 30,000 of the 200,000 streetlights in Los Angeles are reportedly out of service because of cable theft or maintenance problems.
The city takes an average of 12 months to replace a faulty streetlight, and repaired lights are often targeted again.
Fonroche’s solar streetlights operate without connection to the electrical grid.
The company says it sees a potential market worth several hundred million dollars.
- Who
- Fonroche Lighting, a French solar streetlight company, and Los Angeles city officials responsible for public lighting.
- What
- Copper cable thefts have created demand for solar streetlights that do not connect to the electrical grid.
- When
- Fonroche’s first US projects began in 2021; cable thefts became a key part of its sales pitch from 2023.
- Where
- Los Angeles, California, and the wider United States.
- Why
- Cable thefts and maintenance problems have left many streetlights out of service, while repairs can take a year and lights are often targeted again.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Fonroche Lighting began its first US projects, including lighting for dog parks and small isolated military facilities.
Copper cable thefts became a key part of the company’s pitch to US municipalities.
- Out-of-service streetlights
- About 30,000 of 200,000 in Los Angeles
- Replacement time
- An average of 12 months for a faulty streetlight
- Cable theft share
- 40% of reported streetlight incidents
- Potential market
- Several hundred million dollars
What people are saying
The beginnings, in 2021, were laborious.
We lack the resources.