Solar-powered streetlights are coming to Lincoln Heights and Cypress Park

Last week, Councilmember Eunisses Hernandez, together with the Bureau of Street Lighting (BSL) and members of the Lincoln Heights community, celebrated a $500,000 infrastructure project that will transition 91 streetlights in Council District 1 to solar power.

The project began on Monday, February 9, 2026, and is scheduled for completion by the end of the month. In Lincoln Heights, 66 solar units will be installed, including 57 high-efficiency 190W panels and nine all-in-one fixtures at key intersections such as Mozart Street, Avenue 18, Darwin Street and lastly, Avenue 19.

In Cypress Park, another 25 units will be converted near Jeffries Avenue and Avenue 28, using 24 190W panels to improve safety on local streets. The solarization project is fully funded through Council District 1 discretionary funds to address longstanding gaps in neighborhood services that have historically been underfunded in the city budget.

“For too long, our neighborhoods have had to wait for the city to catch up on basic repairs while residents navigate the safety risks of dark streets,” said Hernandez. “It is far more cost-effective to invest in proactive solutions that keep the lights on than to pay for the consequences of neglect. That’s why I invested half a million dollars in solar lighting to deliver immediate, long-lasting results in Lincoln Heights and Cypress Park. As we enter critical budget conversations, I remain committed to securing the resources our departments need to provide reliable city services that are foundational to real public safety for every community in Council District 1.”

Since its founding almost 10 years ago, the Los Angeles BSL has been on the forefront of innovation, technology and design. The Bureau is continuously improving and enhancing L.A.’s street lights so they can provide even more benefits to communities. In the past, BSL has installed 18 air quality monitoring sensors to support the City’s Clean Up Green Up program, as well as 20 safety cameras mounted on streetlights across Los Angeles to help deter illegal dumping.

Throughout her time in office, Hernandez has advocated for the expansion of solar street lighting to combat outages linked to copper wire theft, while also cutting carbon emissions and reducing maintenance costs. This project highlights her mission to clean energy and public safety by increasing neighborhood visibility and decreasing dependence on conventional power sources.

A surge in copper wire theft has caused widespread power outages and heightened safety concerns across Southern California communities. According to CNN, AT&T reported 2,200 incidents in California in 2024, up dramatically from just 71 in 2021. In Los Angeles alone, more than 37,000 streetlight repair requests were filed last year, largely tied to copper wire theft. The Sixth Street Bridge has been one of the hardest-hit locations, with seven miles (38,000 feet) of copper wire stolen over several years, resulting in approximately $2.5 million in damages.

In October 2025, Governor Newsom signed legislation in response to copper wire theft and vandalism. AB 476 is designed to strengthen theft prevention, hold the scrap metal industry accountable with greater penalties and reporting requirements, and protect infrastructure.

AB 476 passed the Legislature with unanimous bipartisan support and is backed by cities, law enforcement, utilities, businesses and community organizations statewide.

“We’re grateful for Council District 1’s investment in our neighborhoods and proud to deliver a solution that addresses long-standing lighting challenges,” said Miguel Sangalang, Director of the Bureau of Street Lighting. “By converting 91 streetlights to solar, we’re reducing maintenance needs, improving reliability and resiliency, and creating safer, well-lit streets near schools and high-pedestrian areas.”

Copper wire theft has hit communities and critical infrastructure across the state, which include:

• Sixth Street Bridge 

• Pico-Union street lighting 

• Landline and internet services halt in Hacienda Heights

• Power outage and school closure in Vallejo

• Record-high streetlight outages

• Telecommunications outages in Ventura County

• Fiber optic vandalism

“Street lighting is one of the most fundamental services a city provides, and when it fails, communities feel it immediately,” said John Grant, Commissioner of the Board of Public Works. “This investment in repairs and solar conversions in Lincoln Heights and Cypress Park reflects the kind of forward-thinking infrastructure strategy Los Angeles needs, one that addresses copper wire theft, reduces long-term maintenance costs and improves reliability.”