French solar streetlight leader Fonroche Lighting celebrated the grand opening of its new U.S. headquarters in Fort Worth on Jan. 22. Originally established in Boston in 2019, the company relocated to Texas in 2023, citing logistical advantages and strong local support.

CEO Hocine Benaoum praised Fort Worth’s leadership for embracing the company’s vision of reshaping urban infrastructure with renewable energy. “They got it. They had the right attitude,” he said. The new 20,088-square-foot facility, located in Empire Holdings’ Campus Industrial Park, will house about 30 employees by year’s end, with plans for expansion.

Fonroche’s solar-powered streetlights, installed in over 1,000 municipalities across 43 states, eliminate the need for trenches, cables, and grid connections, reducing costs and maintenance. Fort Worth has already invested millions in solar lighting, and several of the company’s installations are planned for the city.

“We’re changing the way street lighting works,” Benaoum said. “But it takes time to shift from a century-old model.”

The new headquarters integrates modern office amenities within a warehouse setting, designed to foster employee satisfaction. “People need a place they’re proud to work in,” Benaoum added.

Founded in 2011, Fonroche continues to expand globally, including a recent partnership to install 6,000 solar streetlights in Agen, France, by 2026.