Solar-powered streetlights brighten up Philly’s Nicetown-Tioga neighborhood

This story is part of the WHYY News Climate Desk, bringing you news and solutions for our changing region.

From the Poconos to the Jersey Shore to the mouth of the Delaware Bay, what do you want to know about climate change? What would you like us to cover? Get in touch.

After planting vegetables in their so-called “garden oasis,” Safiyah Abdul Latif and her friends love to relax with a cup of tea under the pergola at the Jannatain Garden in Nicetown.

Now, the neighbors can enjoy the lush community green space and its cozy fireplace after the sun sets. The Pennsylvania Horticultural Society has installed two solar-powered streetlights around the garden, and on corners across Philadelphia’s Nicetown-Tioga section.

Abdul Latif, who helps run Jannatain Garden, recalled the first time she caught sight of the motion-censored street lights, which gradually illuminated the hideaway with each step she took.

“It was just a little dim light, and I said, ‘Oh, this is not going to work.’ As I walked toward the light, the whole area lit up. I was just amazed that it gave off such lighting, especially being solar,” she said.

The Pennsylvania Horticultural Society installed 13 solar streetlights last month as part of a pilot program to help increase safety and deter people from dumping trash near vacant lots in Nicetown-Tioga. The organization cares for more than 10,000 vacant lots across the city as part of a contract with the city.

The new solar lights aim to take pressure off the electric grid and reduce the community’s carbon footprint. The sun-powered streetlights cost about $2,000 each up front, but have no running costs, remain reliable during power outages and use bulbs that last longer than those in traditional streetlights.

Last year, PHS installed 22 solar streetlights in Nicetown-Tioga, which residents say make them feel more secure.

“For people who do live in these homes, I believe that it helps create a sense of safety for them to help light up their streets more,” said Michael Frank, a program manager at PHS.

The pilot is not the only program that aims to light up neighborhoods across Philadelphia. Since 2023, the city and its partners have replaced more than 100,000 aging streetlights with more efficient, longer-lasting LED lights. Researchers have found a 21% drop in nighttime outdoor gun crimes where the new lights were installed. 

The solar pilot run by PHS is part of a community-led effort to enhance Nicetown-Tioga, which has higher rates of crime and poverty, as well as a history of systemic disinvestment.

Nancy Walker lives across the street from two new solar streetlights PHS installed in Tioga at the Flossie Hendrix community garden. Walker, who has lived in the neighborhood since 1985, said the block used to be so dark at night that she always avoided those paths.

Today, she said she feels safer walking to and from her home.

“Now, lights come on, you can see right in here,” Walker said, referring to the garden. “We won’t have to worry about this space when we come down this block.”