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Highland Park unveils pilot solar streetlight project; 48 lights installed on 10 residential blocks
Summary
Mayor McDonald and partners marked a pilot deployment of 48 solar streetlights across 10 residential blocks in Highland Park, a step officials say will improve safety and connectivity while city and partners pursue additional grants to expand the program.
Mayor McDonald announced that the city has installed 48 solar streetlights across 10 residential blocks as part of a pilot to relight Highland Park.
"48 lights have been installed in 10 streets," the mayor said, framing the work as a first phase toward restoring citywide street lighting that has been missing since 2011 due to funding shortages. She said the rollout will be gradual and that the city and its partners will continue applying for grants and funding to expand the program.
The mayor said the project builds on a long-running partnership with the nonprofit Solidarity and a private vendor, Solartonic. Officials said the city council approved the project in October 2025 and that the Michigan Public Service Commission awarded a renewable-energy electrification grant that helped finance the deployment.
City officials emphasized safety and community benefits as key goals. The mayor noted that relit streets improve safety and that some new poles include outdoor Wi‑Fi access for neighborhood use. Officials added that expansion depends on available funding and that the current installations are meant to demonstrate feasibility and spur further investment.
