About solar lighting 10 November 2026
In 2026, the global solar street lighting market is estimated at USD 4.48 billion, according to 360iResearch, up from USD 4.01 billion in 2025. The research firm forecasts a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 12.12% through 2032. This growth is driven by investments in public infrastructure and the modernization of urban spaces.
From national lighting programs to urban development projects, solar street lighting is being deployed on an increasingly large scale. In Togo, the PEP’S Rural program, to which Sunna Design contributed, enabled the installation of 50,000 solar streetlights across 4,599 rural communities. These projects address a wide range of needs, in both emerging and developed economies.
How big is the solar street lighting market in 2026? Which regions are driving its adoption? What are the key trends shaping the industry in the coming years?
Explore the key statistics and global trends shaping a growing industry that supports the energy transition across communities worldwide.
Table of Contents
According to the Solar Street Lighting Market – Global Forecast 2026–2032 report by 360iResearch, the global solar street lighting market is estimated at USD 4.48 billion in 2026, up from USD 4.01 billion in 2025, representing an estimated increase of nearly 12% in one year.
The research firm forecasts a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 12.12%, with the market potentially reaching USD 8.95 billion by 2032, nearly double its estimated value in 2026.
Other market studies confirm this growth trend, although their estimates vary. Fortune Business Insights, for example, estimates the global solar street lighting market at USD 13.67 billion in 2026 and forecasts a compound annual growth rate of 11.76% through 2034.
These differences highlight the fact that there is no single universally accepted valuation of the global solar street lighting market, as research firms may use different market scopes and assessment methodologies. These estimates are therefore not directly comparable. Nevertheless, they consistently point to double-digit annual growth forecasts, supported in particular by urbanization, investments in public infrastructure, and the increasing adoption of renewable energy.
| Indicator | Key figure | Source and scope |
|---|---|---|
| Global market (2026) | $4.48 billion | 360iResearch · estimate |
| Global forecast (2032) | $8.95 billion | 360iResearch · forecast |
| India (March 2024) | 944,000 | Indian government · recorded installations |
| Senegal (Sept. 29, 2026) | 186,624 | ANER · announced installations |
| Togo (PEP’S Rural) | 50,000 | Sunna Design · deployed program |
These figures represent different types of indicators, including market estimates, recorded installations and deployment programs. They should not be added together or interpreted as a ranking.
While the adoption of solar street lighting is increasing worldwide, its growth is driven by different factors depending on the region.
According to the Solar Street Lighting Global Market Report 2026 by The Business Research Company, Asia-Pacific was the largest regional solar street lighting market in 2025.
China and India play a significant role in this growth, driven in particular by road infrastructure development, urbanization, and government policies promoting renewable energy.
In India, government data illustrates the growing scale of standalone solar lighting installations: 944,000 solar streetlights were recorded in March 2024, compared with 442,000 in March 2016, more than doubling in eight years.
This increase highlights the growing role of solar street lighting in national infrastructure development strategies. Investments in transportation infrastructure, new residential developments, and public spaces continue to support the region’s growth prospects.
In Malaysia, this diversity of applications is reflected in the Alam Impian park project, supported by Sunna Design. The installation combines 38 iSSL+ solar streetlights, 21 Alto solar bollards, and 29 EverGen V3 PowerLoad systems to illuminate pedestrian pathways and provide architectural lighting in a public space.
In Africa, the development of solar street lighting is largely supported by national programs aimed at providing lighting for roads, urban areas, and rural communities.
In Senegal, 186,624 solar streetlights had been installed as of September 29, 2026, according to the National Renewable Energy Agency (ANER). At that time, the program covered 552 of the country’s 553 municipalities, representing 99.81% of all municipalities. The third phase of the program had already reached 33,502 installations, with a target of 150,000 additional solar streetlights.
These figures illustrate the expansion of national solar lighting policies, which are moving beyond isolated installations toward long-term infrastructure development strategies.
In Togo, the PEP’S Rural program, to which Sunna Design contributed, enabled the deployment of 50,000 autonomous solar streetlights across 4,599 rural communities. It provides a concrete example of large-scale implementation, involving long-term operational and maintenance considerations.
An impact study published by Sunna Design in May 2026 highlights improvements in nighttime mobility, access to essential services, and the well-being of local communities.
Beyond the number of lighting points installed, projects of this scale require careful system sizing, effective on-site organization, and an appropriate maintenance strategy. These challenges are explored in our article “Solar Street Lighting in Africa: 7 Keys to Successful Large-Scale Projects”.
In countries with well-developed electricity grids, solar street lighting adoption is driven by different needs.
In Europe and North America, solar street lighting is increasingly being considered for urban regeneration projects and the modernization of existing infrastructure. When site conditions allow, it can eliminate the need for certain trenching and grid connection works, particularly in parks, roads, and business districts.
In the United States, the Pier 42 redevelopment project in New York City transformed a former industrial waterfront into a public park. Sol by Sunna Design installed EverGen solar streetlights to illuminate pedestrian pathways without trenching or electrical grid connections. The project demonstrates how autonomous solar lighting can be integrated into the regeneration of urban spaces.
In Spain, the renovation of Avenida Azagador de la Torre in Valencia modernized the lighting infrastructure of an industrial area through the installation of 37 autonomous solar streetlights, including 32 UP2 and 5 iSSL Maxi Road units. This project illustrates how an area with aging electrical infrastructure can upgrade its street lighting without extensive grid connection works.
Market growth is not driven solely by large-scale rural lighting programs. Roads and transportation infrastructure represent major applications, alongside public spaces, residential developments, and industrial areas.
Parking lots, cycle paths, pedestrian walkways, logistics facilities, industrial sites, and bridges also offer opportunities for solar street lighting deployment, particularly when connecting to the electrical grid presents technical or financial challenges.
In Costa Rica, the Puente de la Amistad provides an example of this diversification. A total of 26 iSSL Maxi 4 solar streetlights illuminate the 780-meter road bridge as part of a modernization project designed to improve nighttime safety without installing a new electrical network along the structure.
This diversification reflects a broader market shift: solar street lighting is no longer limited to remote and off-grid areas but is increasingly being adopted in urban, commercial, and industrial environments.
Beyond growing investment, several key trends are expected to shape the global solar street lighting market in the coming years.
The increasing number of national solar lighting programs reflects a shift toward larger-scale deployments. Projects involving thousands of solar streetlights require effective organization, industrial production capacity, and maintenance systems capable of ensuring long-term installation performance.
Technological developments are supporting this market growth. Systems combining LED lighting, motion sensors, adaptive energy management, and remote monitoring allow lighting performance to be adjusted according to the actual needs of communities and infrastructure operators.
In France, at the P3 parking lot of Bordeaux-Mérignac Airport, Sunna Design installed EverGen solar streetlights equipped with networked motion detection technology. When movement is detected, the luminaires can respond collectively. The project also combines autonomous solar lighting and hybrid solutions to meet specific requirements for continuity of service.
These capabilities are particularly valuable for large-scale lighting programs, where installation monitoring and operational control are essential. Discover how Sunna Design’s solar lighting technology combines intelligent energy management with connected features.
Beyond the initial purchase price, municipalities and infrastructure operators are placing increasing importance on energy performance, equipment lifespan, and maintenance costs.
The reliability and durability of solar street lighting solutions are therefore becoming key factors in investment decisions, particularly for large-scale infrastructure projects.
To compare solutions over their entire service life, a comprehensive solar street lighting specification should address lighting performance requirements, installation constraints, energy autonomy, and operating costs.
These trends are expected to continue supporting the adoption of autonomous solar lighting solutions, although the pace of development will vary depending on government policies, available funding, and local infrastructure needs.
In 2026, solar street lighting continues to strengthen its position in infrastructure development worldwide. Market growth forecasts and the scale of national lighting programs demonstrate that adoption now extends far beyond remote and off-grid areas.
From rural electrification and lighting programs to urban regeneration and infrastructure modernization projects, Sunna Design’s installations illustrate the diversity of applications and regions benefiting from autonomous solar lighting.
As the energy transition and infrastructure adaptation become increasingly important priorities in public policy, the key challenge for the coming years will be to turn this market momentum into high-performance, durable lighting installations tailored to the specific needs of each community.
According to 360iResearch, the global solar street lighting market is estimated at USD 4.48 billion in 2026, with a projected compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 12.12% through 2032. Other research firms report different market estimates but consistently forecast sustained growth across the industry.
According to The Business Research Company, Asia-Pacific was the largest regional solar street lighting market in 2025. China and India play a significant role in this growth. Africa is also accelerating the deployment of solar streetlights through large-scale national programs, particularly in Senegal and Togo.
No. While autonomous solar street lighting is particularly well suited to remote areas without access to the electrical grid, it is also increasingly being adopted in cities and existing infrastructure. Roads, parks, parking lots, cycle paths, and industrial areas can all benefit from this technology, particularly by reducing the need for trenching and electrical grid connections.
