Solar Energy Street Lights Brighten Rancho Cordova

The City of Ranch Cordova needed an affordable, dependable street lighting system that was compatible with existing infrastructure already in use throughout the city. Working collaboratively with Associated Lighting Representatives (ALR) , Leotek, and electricity distributor JAM Services, Leadsun custom engineered a hybrid lighting solution using their world-class AE6 solar engines to power Leotek light heads on standard Caltrans poles. The new solar energy street lights have improved safety and visibility for residents and eliminated the high costs normally associated with electricity grid connections.

Oct 16, 2025

The Cordova Meadows enclave in Rancho Cordova is ideally positioned next to the picturesque River Bend Park in California’s Sacramento County. At night however, the area was very dark and dimly lit. Better street lighting was urgently needed to improve safety and visibility for drivers and pedestrians.

Responding to community concerns, the City of Rancho Cordova initially specified traditional, grid-powered lighting but discovered it would be prohibitively expensive. “The costs involved with grid lighting in this location were just too expensive”, said Leadsun Operations Manager David Pineda. “The city reached out to our sales representative, ALR for an off-grid solution.”

Project challenges

Instead of introducing new infrastructure that would have to be maintained in the future, The City of Rancho Cordova wanted to keep things consistent and continue using the same type of poles and light fittings installed everywhere else. The main difference was that the new street lights in Cordova Meadows would be powered by the sun instead of the electricity grid and would cost considerably less to install and maintain.

A Collaborative, Custom Engineered Solar Street Lights with Pole Solution

Working in collaboration with Leotek, Leadsun converted their AC powered Cobrahead LED light to DC power and then thoroughly tested to ensure compatibility with the Leadsun AE6 solar engine.

Leadsun engineers also designed and fabricated custom brackets to securely attach the 200 watt solar engines to the Caltrans Type 15 poles.

Each of the 44 street lights installed at Cordova Meadows was programmed to operate at 100% brightness from dusk until dawn. Four were also equipped with Leadsun’s EDGE gateway control, giving The City real-time remote wireless monitoring and asset control.

Innovation and Collaboration Deliver Brighter, Safer Streets for Rancho Cordova

Local news outlet hoodline.com reported that the new street lights on W. La Loma Drive, La Loma Drive, and Dawes Street were the city’s first large-scale solar streetlight project. The new lights are powered entirely by the sun and will help Rancho Cordova meet its emissions reductions targets set out in The City’s Climate Action and Adaptation Plan.

For Cordova Meadows residents, the new street lights mean greater visibility at night and a safer, more welcoming neighborhood.

For Leadsun, the project demonstrates how solar lighting can be integrated with traditional road infrastructure to deliver affordability, reliability and sustainable performance. “This project shows how our expertise, collaboration and quality lighting products can turn existing infrastructure into a sustainable asset”, said David Pineda. “By adapting our wold class solar energy street light system to work with standard Caltrans poles and Leotek light fixtures we were able to achieve cost savings, a uniform look and a safer, brighter Rancho Cordova.”