Street Lighting Market By Lighting Type (LED Lighting, Conventional Lighting); By Application (Highways and Roadways, Residential Streets, Public Spaces and Parks, Tunnels and Bridges, Parking Lots and Commercial Complexes); By Installation Type (New Installation, Retrofit Installation); By Control Technology (Standalone Systems, Networked Systems); By Geography, Segment Revenue Estimation, Forecast, 2024–2030.

Introduction And Strategic Context

The Global Street Lighting Market will witness a robust CAGR of 7.2% , valued at approximately $11.3 billion in 2024 , expected to appreciate and reach $18.3 billion by 2030 , confirms Strategic Market Research.

 

Street lighting is a foundational element in modern infrastructure, providing illumination for urban, suburban, and rural roadways to improve visibility, public safety, traffic flow, and civic aesthetics. Its evolution from traditional high-intensity discharge lamps to energy-efficient and intelligent lighting systems underscores its strategic relevance in the global smart city transition. Governments and municipalities are increasingly adopting LED-based smart street lighting systems as part of sustainability and cost-reduction mandates.

 

From a strategic standpoint, the market is positioned at the intersection of urbanization, environmental policy, digitization, and smart infrastructure investment . Rising concerns over energy consumption, carbon footprint, and nighttime public safety have made efficient street lighting a policy priority for both developed and emerging economies.

 

Three major macroeconomic forces are propelling this transformation:

• Smart City Initiatives – More than 150 countries have launched urban digitization programs that prioritize street lighting modernization.

• Environmental Sustainability – Regulatory mandates from the UN SDGs, EU Green Deal, and Energy Star are pushing public infrastructure toward low-emission LED and solar systems.

• Digital Infrastructure Integration – The adoption of IoT -based lighting controls , real-time monitoring, and predictive maintenance models is enabling municipalities to reduce operational costs while extending system lifespan.
   

Key stakeholders in the street lighting market include:

• Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) – responsible for producing lamp fixtures, poles, controllers, and IoT nodes.

• Municipal Governments and Urban Planners – the largest procurers and decision-makers for implementation.

• Utility Providers and ESCOs (Energy Service Companies) – critical for installation, power provisioning, and performance contracting.

• Technology Integrators and Smart City Consultants – managing integration of sensors, analytics, and command centers.

• Investors and Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs) – increasingly funding large-scale lighting modernization projects globally.

As urban footprints expand and city infrastructure modernizes, street lighting will remain central to building safe, sustainable, and digitally integrated public environments. Beyond basic illumination, the next wave of growth will be fueled by smart poles embedded with 5G antennas, EV chargers, security cameras , and environmental sensors , redefining the very role of street lighting in the urban fabric.

 

Market Segmentation And Forecast Scope

The street lighting market is a multifaceted domain shaped by technology type, application scope, installation model, and geographic presence. Based on industry-wide adoption and development trends, the market is segmented as follows:

By Lighting Type

• LED Lighting

• Conventional Lighting (HPS, MH, CFL)

LED Lighting accounted for nearly 73% of the global market share in 2024, owing to rapid replacement initiatives and favorable ROI through energy savings. This segment is also the fastest-growing , as municipalities increasingly phase out sodium vapor and metal halide systems. The lower maintenance cost, longer operational life, and energy efficiency of LED systems make them the primary choice for urban infrastructure upgrades.

 

By Application

• Highways & Roadways

• Residential Streets

• Public Spaces & Parks

• Tunnels & Bridges

• Parking Lots & Commercial Complexes

Highways & Roadways dominate in deployment volume, particularly in North America and Asia-Pacific. However, Public Spaces & Parks are emerging as a high-growth niche, driven by beautification, safety enhancements, and tourism appeal in urban planning.

 

By Installation Type

• New Installation

• Retrofit Installation

Retrofit Installation is expected to grow significantly during the forecast period. Legacy systems are being upgraded to comply with energy efficiency mandates, particularly in Europe and parts of Latin America. This shift is driven by national incentives that reward municipal retrofitting projects with carbon credits and subsidized funding.

 

By Control Technology

• Standalone Systems

• Networked Systems (Smart/Connected)

While Standalone Systems still dominate rural deployments, Networked Systems are witnessing exponential adoption in smart cities. These include IoT -enabled platforms offering real-time diagnostics, adaptive brightness, and remote monitoring capabilities. Smart lighting systems are projected to grow at a CAGR exceeding 15%, reshaping public lighting from a cost center to a data-driven asset.

 

By Region

• North America

• Europe

• Asia Pacific

• Latin America

• Middle East & Africa (LAMEA)

Each region exhibits a different adoption curve. While Europe leads in smart lighting penetration, Asia Pacific commands the largest volume of installations, primarily due to extensive urban infrastructure growth in China and India. North America is transitioning aggressively toward connected lighting systems , supported by a robust tech ecosystem and federal grants.

 

Market Trends And Innovation Landscape

The street lighting market is undergoing a technological metamorphosis, moving beyond traditional luminaires toward hyper-connected, adaptive, and multi-functional infrastructure . Innovation is being shaped by four pillars: energy efficiency , intelligent control , sustainability , and digital convergence .

1. Smart Lighting and IoT Integration

One of the most transformative trends is the proliferation of smart lighting networks . These systems use IoT sensors, wireless mesh networks, and centralized control software to manage lighting dynamically based on traffic density, pedestrian presence, weather conditions, and time of day.

• Cities like Barcelona, Singapore, and Dubai are leading with smart lighting deployments that include adaptive dimming , remote monitoring , and predictive fault alerts .

• Experts highlight that real-time data analytics combined with AI can reduce street lighting energy costs by up to 70%.

 

2. Energy Transition and Net-Zero Targets

Municipalities are aligning street lighting upgrades with broader net-zero emission goals . This includes transitioning to solar-powered luminaires , hybrid grid systems, and battery-based storage.

• New solar-integrated poles with PV panels and lithium batteries are now viable even in cloudy climates due to high-efficiency cells and MPPT charge controllers.

• Major cities in India, Kenya, and Brazil are rolling out solar streetlight corridors to minimize grid dependency and reduce carbon footprints.

 

3. Materials and Structural Innovation

The use of lightweight composites, modular poles, and corrosion-resistant alloys is improving system longevity and reducing installation time.

• Manufacturers are embedding poles with plug-and-play interfaces, allowing easy integration of third-party IoT modules like air quality sensors, EV chargers, and surveillance cameras.

 

4. Edge Computing and AI-Enabled Management

The rise of edge devices in street lighting is enabling decentralized decision-making. AI algorithms now optimize lighting schedules autonomously based on historical patterns and environmental variables.

• This is critical for mission-sensitive deployments like highway tunnels and accident-prone intersections where latency and system uptime are paramount.

 

5. Strategic Collaborations and Cross-Sector Innovation

The market is seeing increased cross-sector convergence between lighting OEMs, telecom providers, and smart infrastructure integrators:

• Cisco and Signify partnered to integrate smart lighting with urban Wi-Fi solutions.

• Schneider Electric and GE Current are embedding energy metering into streetlight controllers to offer real-time consumption analytics to municipalities.

 

6. Emergence of Multi-Function Smart Poles

Beyond lighting, smart poles are becoming urban data hubs . New deployments support:

• 5G small cells

• EV charging stations

• Public broadcasting systems

• Environmental and traffic sensors

This evolution transforms the streetlight from a passive utility into a multi-functional civic platform.

 

Competitive Intelligence And Benchmarking

The global street lighting market is moderately consolidated, featuring a blend of traditional lighting giants, smart infrastructure firms, and niche technology disruptors. Competitive dynamics are shaped by technology integration, government contracts, energy performance guarantees (EPGs), and smart city ecosystems .

Here’s a breakdown of some key market participants and their strategic positions:

Signify (formerly Philips Lighting)

One of the undisputed global leaders, Signify has transitioned from legacy lighting products to smart solutions under its Interact platform . The company boasts expansive smart city projects in Europe and the Middle East, offering fully integrated systems with cloud-based lighting management, asset tracking, and environmental sensors.

• Signify’s dominance stems from its full-stack offering—hardware, software, and analytics—combined with strong municipal partnerships.

 

Schréder

Schréder is a specialist in intelligent outdoor lighting with a strong presence in Europe, Latin America, and Southeast Asia . Its solutions focus on scalable control platforms and custom pole designs for aesthetic and functional flexibility.

• The company emphasizes open standards and interoperability , allowing its systems to integrate seamlessly with third-party urban IoT networks.

 

Acuity Brands

A major player in North America , Acuity Brands is known for its Holophane and ROAM smart lighting systems. The firm’s strength lies in its advanced analytics and cyber-secure control systems designed for critical infrastructure.

• Acuity has made strategic acquisitions to expand its footprint in lighting controls and sensor integration, positioning itself as a data-driven infrastructure enabler.

 

Eaton Corporation (Cooper Lighting Solutions)

Eaton , through its Cooper Lighting division , offers high-performance LED street lighting and smart grid-compatible luminaires. Its focus is on energy-efficient retrofits for municipal clients and large-scale infrastructure projects in the U.S., Canada, and the UK .

• The company leverages its broader energy management capabilities to provide integrated electrical and lighting solutions .

 

Osram (now part of ams -OSRAM)

Though historically associated with bulbs, Osram has shifted toward intelligent lighting platforms and digital services , especially in the DACH region and Asia-Pacific .

• The firm’s IoT -enabled products cater to cities aiming to digitize street infrastructure without overhauling the existing grid.

 

General Electric (GE Current)

GE Current delivers smart lighting systems with a focus on interconnected infrastructure and cloud-based analytics . Its solutions are popular in government contracts across the U.S. and increasingly in South American markets.

• A recent push into machine learning and predictive maintenance tools is enhancing its competitiveness in next-gen urban deployments.

 

Cree Lighting

Cree remains a strong U.S.-based OEM with focus on LED retrofits and long-life, high-efficiency luminaires for highways and arterial roads. The brand is favored for its thermal management and durability in extreme environments .

• Cree has carved a niche in military zones, airports, and industrial municipalities requiring rugged lighting systems.

Each of these companies is carving out a unique path, but the competitive edge increasingly lies in their ability to integrate hardware, software, and service delivery into one streamlined urban lighting ecosystem. The future belongs to those who can go beyond illumination and deliver data, efficiency, and resilience.

 

Regional Landscape And Adoption Outlook

The street lighting market exhibits regionally distinct dynamics , shaped by local infrastructure maturity, regulatory ambition, climate conditions, and funding availability. While urbanization is a unifying growth driver, the pace and focus of adoption differ markedly across geographies.

North America

North America—particularly the United States and Canada —has emerged as a leader in smart street lighting deployment , driven by both sustainability mandates and digital modernization programs.

• Federal grants , like those under the U.S. Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA), have accelerated municipal retrofitting.

• Cities like Chicago, Los Angeles, and Toronto are spearheading smart pole deployments integrated with 5G antennas, gunshot detection systems , and real-time traffic analytics .

Municipalities are partnering with ESCOs to implement performance-based contracts, where savings fund the upgrades, reducing capital pressure.

 

Europe

Europe combines regulatory stringency with green funding mechanisms , making it the most environmentally driven market.

• Countries such as Germany, the Netherlands, and France have adopted LED-only procurement policies for new installations.

• EU climate frameworks like the Green Deal and Energy Efficiency Directive (EED) compel local governments to meet strict emission reduction targets via public lighting upgrades.

Smart lighting is deeply integrated with urban sustainability strategies, with Europe leading in interoperable, vendor-agnostic platforms.

 

Asia Pacific

Asia Pacific is the largest market by volume , driven by aggressive urban expansion and large-scale infrastructure investments, especially in China, India, and Southeast Asia .

• China alone accounts for over 40% of global new installations, powered by state-backed urban development zones and export-focused manufacturing.

• India’s Street Lighting National Programme (SLNP) has retrofitted over 12 million conventional streetlights with LED units, marking the world’s largest LED replacement drive.

While cost is a major barrier in low-income areas, government subsidies and public-private partnerships are unlocking mass deployment.

 

Latin America

Latin America presents a moderate growth trajectory , held back by funding constraints but gaining ground through international donor programs and solar-centric lighting projects .

• Countries like Brazil, Colombia, and Mexico are focusing on off-grid lighting for semi-urban and peri -urban zones.

• Solar street lighting is critical in rural electrification zones, reducing diesel generator dependence and lowering operating costs.

 

Middle East and Africa (MEA)

MEA is a bifurcated market , with GCC countries on one end pushing for smart infrastructure and Sub-Saharan Africa on the other leveraging low-cost solar streetlights to bridge infrastructure gaps.

• The UAE and Saudi Arabia are integrating smart poles into their Vision 2030 smart city frameworks.

• In Africa, countries like Kenya, Ghana, and Nigeria are implementing solar LED programs funded by the World Bank and UNDP.

White space opportunities remain vast, especially in off-grid and rural zones where lighting can dramatically improve safety and economic activity.

 

End-User Dynamics And Use Case

The street lighting ecosystem serves a diverse set of end users, each with unique objectives tied to safety, cost savings, urban branding, and infrastructure modernization . While governments dominate procurement, other institutional stakeholders also influence design, installation, and operations.

Key End-User Categories

1. Municipal Governments and Urban Planners

The primary end users, municipal bodies , initiate large-scale deployments or retrofits as part of broader smart city mandates or infrastructure upgrades. Their decisions are typically guided by:

• Public safety concerns

• Energy conservation targets

• Maintenance cost optimization

• Data infrastructure integration

Municipalities also collaborate closely with engineering consultants and PPP operators , especially in cities adopting Lighting-as-a-Service ( LaaS ) models.

 

2. Utility Providers and ESCOs

Energy Service Companies (ESCOs) and public utilities often manage, maintain, or finance lighting systems on behalf of cities through performance contracts . These stakeholders:

• Bear the upfront cost of LED or smart lighting conversions

• Recover investments via shared savings from reduced energy bills

• Monitor performance using integrated dashboards and fault detection tools

 

3. Transportation Authorities and Infrastructure Developers

Organizations overseeing highways, rail networks, airports, and ports rely on precision-engineered lighting systems for compliance and safety mandates .

• These stakeholders typically require high-CRI , low-glare , and weather-resistant systems.

• Many demand integration with vehicle-to-infrastructure (V2I) protocols for future-readiness in autonomous mobility corridors.

 

4. Commercial and Industrial Facilities

Large real estate developers and special economic zones (SEZs) invest in premium street lighting infrastructure for aesthetic appeal, security, and corporate ESG compliance.

• These end users often deploy smart poles with surveillance cameras , PA systems , and Wi-Fi repeaters , enhancing area value and functional versatility.

 

Representative Use Case

In 2023, the city of Daegu, South Korea, undertook a comprehensive street lighting overhaul across 11 districts as part of its Smart City Innovation Strategy. Partnering with a regional utility provider and a private ESCO, the municipality installed over 25,000 smart LED streetlights with real-time brightness control and environmental sensors.

The city reported a 62% reduction in energy consumption , a 40% drop in streetlight maintenance costs , and improved public safety in previously underlit alleys and intersections. Furthermore, the collected sensor data—on air quality, noise levels, and traffic flow—was fed into Daegu’s central urban command center to support broader civic planning.

This example showcases how street lighting is evolving from a passive cost center into a proactive asset for civic management, safety enhancement, and environmental monitoring.

 

Recent Developments + Opportunities & Restraints

Recent Developments (Last 2 Years)

• Signify and Upciti Partnership (2024)
  Signify partnered with French AI startup Upciti to integrate computer vision sensors into street lighting poles , enabling real-time monitoring of traffic density, air quality, and waste management across smart city networks.

• GE Current Smart Street Lighting Rollout in Argentina (2023)
  GE Current completed the installation of 18,000 smart LED lights in Córdoba, Argentina, using its CityIQ platform . The system offers adaptive lighting, maintenance analytics, and public safety monitoring.

• Launch of Cree Lighting’s XSP Series Gen 3 (2023)
  Cree introduced its next-gen LED streetlight series with extreme thermal resilience and modular optics , targeting regions with harsh climates.

• Osram’s IoT Lighting-as-a-Service (2024)
  Osram launched a Lighting-as-a-Service ( LaaS ) platform for mid-sized European municipalities, bundling hardware, software, maintenance, and analytics into a single contract.

• India’s SLNP Expansion (2023)
  The Indian government announced Phase 2 of its Street Lighting National Programme (SLNP), with a target to retrofit an additional 10 million lights across Tier II and III cities using domestic LED manufacturing.

 

Opportunities

• Rise of Hybrid Smart Poles
  The convergence of EV charging, public Wi-Fi, 5G small cells, and surveillance cameras into smart poles is creating a new multi-service infrastructure category. These poles can generate multi-revenue streams for municipalities and vendors.

• Untapped Rural Electrification in Africa and Asia
  With over 600 million people in Africa lacking reliable electricity, solar-powered LED streetlights are vital for expanding safe nighttime activity. World Bank, UNDP, and Chinese OEMs are actively funding such initiatives .

• AI-Based Predictive Maintenance
  Integrating machine learning into streetlight CMS platforms allows cities to detect faults before failure, reducing downtime and optimizing field crew allocation.

 

Restraints

• High Upfront Capital Cost
  Despite long-term savings, the initial cost of smart lighting systems—especially with networked controls and sensors—remains a barrier in low- and mid-income regions , necessitating subsidies or ESCO models.

• Interoperability and Vendor Lock-In
  Proprietary control systems and incompatible protocols can create integration hurdles in smart city platforms. Municipalities fear being locked into single-vendor ecosystems , which limits scalability and budget flexibility.
   

7.1. Report Coverage Table

Report Attribute	Details
Forecast Period	2024 – 2030
Market Size Value in 2024	USD 11.3 Billion
Revenue Forecast in 2030	USD 18.3 Billion
Overall Growth Rate	CAGR of 7.2% (2024 – 2030)
Base Year for Estimation	2024
Historical Data	2019 – 2023
Unit	USD Million, CAGR (2024 – 2030)
Segmentation	By Lighting Type, By Application, By Installation Type, By Region
By Lighting Type	LED, Conventional
By Application	Highways & Roadways, Residential Streets, Public Spaces & Parks, etc.
By Installation Type	New Installation, Retrofit Installation
By Region	North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, Latin America, Middle East & Africa
Country Scope	U.S., UK, Germany, China, India, Japan, Brazil, etc.
Market Drivers	• Urbanization & Smart Cities • LED Efficiency • Government Programs
Customization Option	Available upon request