Case study September 2025
Parlier, California
In Parlier, California, a new public park is redefining what it means to create community space with sustainability at the forefront. Opened in November 2024, the 1.76-acre park offers residents a welcoming place to gather, play, and exercise, while integrating features that minimize environmental impact.
Before its transformation, the site was little more than bare earth—an unused lot next to a housing development that offered little benefit to the surrounding community or the environment. This, however, was not always the case. Eighty years ago, Parlier’s founder planted a fig tree that grew to be the largest in the world, serving as a favored gathering place for his family and community.
Although the original tree toppled in 1940, fig trees continue to thrive in the region—including in the park—making the new space a fitting tribute to the city’s tradition of coming together outdoors.
Central to the park is a walking and jogging loop. While perfect for daytime use, it needed lighting to remain safe and inviting after dark (the park stays open until 10 p.m.). Wired lighting would have required extending power from the nearest grid connection, an expensive undertaking that would saddle the city with ongoing utility bills and maintenance responsibilities—not to mention contradict the project’s sustainability goals.
Instead, the City chose to install 10 of Sol’s UP2 solar lights, delivering reliable illumination completely off-grid. Custom-sized for Parlier’s sunny climate, each system’s panel and battery are built to perform year-round. Motion sensors make the systems even more energy efficient, dimming the lights late in the evening if people aren’t present (and brightening them automatically if they are).
With no trenching, no monthly bills, and virtually no maintenance, city officials have peace of mind that the park will remain lit every evening. The lights also blend seamlessly into the park’s natural design, preserving its character while providing bright, uniform coverage.
Since opening, the park has quickly become a hub for the neighborhood, especially for families in the adjacent housing development. Residents now use the space well into the evening, supported by solar lighting that keeps pathways and gathering areas visible and welcoming.
By choosing solar, Parlier avoided the disruption of wired infrastructure and created a sustainable, cost-effective amenity that strengthens community life—just as the town’s legendary fig tree once did.
