Solar energy to power iconic Las Vegas welcome sign

Officials in Las Vegas are harnessing the power of the sun to light the city's iconic welcome sign. Elected officials and project leaders flipped a switch on Wednesday linking solar panels on 25-foot towers to the glittering neon "Welcome to Fabulous Las Vegas" sign.

Updated on: Jan 9, 2014, 11:28:26 IST

AP | By HT Correspondent, Las Vegas

Prefer HTon Google

Share via

Copy link

Officials in Las Vegas are harnessing the power of the sun to light the city's iconic welcome sign.

Elected officials and project leaders flipped a switch Wednesday linking solar panels on 25-foot (7.62-meter) towers to the glittering neon "Welcome to Fabulous Las Vegas" sign.

The project was headed by the Green Chips and Clean Energy Project nonprofit organizations, and funded by the Consumer Electronics Association, electric utility NV Energy, the Las Vegas Centennial Commission and Bombard Renewable Energy.

The new power source is the latest upgrade for the sign designed by Betty Willis and installed in 1959 in a traffic median on the Las Vegas Strip.

A parking lot for private vehicles and tour buses was expanded in 2012 to make access to the sign safer for picture-takers.

A view of the welcome sign on Las Vegas Boulevard, known as "The Strip" is seen in Las Vegas, Nevada. (AFP Photo)
</div) — A view of the welcome sign on Las Vegas Boulevard, known as "The Strip" is seen in Las Vegas, Nevada. (AFP Photo)

Get the latest World News, breaking headlines and global updates from the US, UK, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Russia and other countries. Follow major international events on Hindustan Times.