Fonroche Lighting
Fonroche Lighting, a global leader in solar-powered lighting solutions, has officially opened its new U.S. headquarters in Fort Worth. The 20,088-square-foot facility, located in the Campus Industrial Park at 2224 SE Loop 820, was developed by Fort Worth-based Empire Holdings, a company with over four decades of experience in industrial and commercial real estate.
The grand opening, held January 22, featured a ribbon-cutting ceremony attended by representatives from the City of Fort Worth, the Fort Worth Chamber of Commerce, the Fort Worth Economic Development Partnership, and executives from both Fonroche Lighting and Empire Holdings.
Founded in Agen, France, in 2011, Fonroche Lighting has grown to serve more than 50 countries across five continents. Its solar-powered streetlights are now installed in over 1,000 municipalities across 43 U.S. states. After entering the American market in 2019 with a headquarters in Boston, Fonroche relocated to Fort Worth in 2023 to centralize its operations. The company’s rapid expansion prompted the move to its newly constructed headquarters within Empire’s 12.14-acre master-planned development.
The new facility includes Class-A office space, customized features for engineering and production, and advanced industrial capabilities, such as smartphone-powered access, fiber-optic infrastructure, and sustainable landscaping with drought-tolerant plants. Warehouse areas boast column-free layouts, clear heights up to 23 feet, and high-efficiency storage solutions. Its centralized location provides easy access to highways, railways, and Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport.
“Our priority is building spaces that fuel tenant success,” said Bowie Holland, President of Empire Holdings, in a statement. “Fonroche’s presence at Campus Industrial Park is a testament to what we strive to achieve in all of our developments—pairing cutting-edge technologies with exceptional design to create facilities that inspire innovation and drive growth.”
Fonroche’s solar-powered lighting solutions are designed to disrupt the traditional streetlighting industry by eliminating grid connections, offering significant cost savings, and reducing carbon emissions. These systems provide reliable, maintenance-free lighting, even in remote locations where grid infrastructure is unavailable.
“Our new U.S. headquarters represents more than just office and warehouse space -- it signals our company’s long-term commitment to the U.S. market and vision of reshaping urban infrastructure with renewable energy solutions,” said Hocine Benaoum, Head of Fonroche Lighting USA. “Our presence in Fort Worth also reinforces the city’s appeal to international companies seeking a central location for national operations. We are certain that Fort Worth’s unmatched logistical resources and supportive business climate will be the keys to our continued growth and goal to become the nation’s leader in solar-powered lighting solutions.”
Though some have called Las Vegas "The City of Light," it is not that for many area residents. Government officials, residents, and businesses were tired of being left in the dark because of wire theft. Looking for solutions, the county's task force connected with Fonroche Lighting America, a Texas-based company with over 270 municipal customers. After learning about the benefits of the SmartLight solar lighting system, the county partnered with Fonroche Lighting America to install new advanced autonomous solar lighting systems near Palm and E. Louis Street.
Why Solar Street Lights?
Solar lighting offers local governments an elegantly simple solution to a host of lighting challenges. Not only is there no copper wiring to steal, but the systems give municipalities a new level of independence and flexibility.
Solar Lights don't require trenching and underground wiring, saving taxpayer dollars right from the start. Then, the county will save on maintenance and electricity.
Better yet, solar lighting is a sustainable option that doesn't tax the overburdened grid. In fact, they stay on during planned and emergency power outages.
Solar Lighting Technology
The new streetlights from Fonroche contain a specially formulated battery chemistry that ensures performance and long life in the extreme temperatures of the valley and winter climates too. Fonroche uses calculations that they validate in their unique climate testing labs to determine a configuration that will guarantee all-night lighting all year long. Finally, the onboard anti-blackout controls will accommodate weather events that fall out of the area's historical norms.
Though theft is unlikely, Fonroche has even created an internal tracker to locate Power 365 assemblies if they are removed from the pole.
Community Impact
Streetlighting impacts many aspects of a community. Lighting can provide residents with the confidence to use public transportation, promote healthy activity, and improve walkability and by extension, property values. Most importantly, it can prevent traffic accidents, trips and falls, and criminal activity.
Too often, disadvantaged neighborhoods have little or no lighting. In the past, adding lighting was complicated and costly. Now, easy-to-install solar streetlights make equitable lighting attainable.
A community where residents feel comfortable on the street is a safer, healthier and more connected community.
Upon installation in Las Vegas, one resident exclaimed, "I am dreaming right now ... Whatever government official, whoever did this, thank you."
Next Steps
Clark County officials will closely monitor the streetlights and develop recommendations for further deployment across the county.
Hundreds of other communities are turning to Fonroche for street lighting projects that will end outages from wire theft, overburdened utilities, and weather events. Many innovations can be complex and expensive to implement - this one is simple and cost-effective.
