Las Vegas’ iconic welcome sign has gone solar

LAS VEGAS — The famous “Welcome to Fabulous Las Vegas” sign has cut the cord and gone green.

The iconic sign, located in a traffic median at the south end of Las Vegas Boulevard, is now powered solely by the sun.

Three solar panel trees installed nearby harness enough power to light up the 25-foot sign, including its neon, backlighting and 89-bulb border.

“Visitors increasingly want assurances that the city they’re visiting respects the environment,” said Clark County commissioner Mary Beth Scow, whose district includes the sign.

“Up and down the Las Vegas Strip, our resorts are becoming increasingly green.”

Since it was installed in 1959, the Las Vegas welcome sign has greeted millions to Las Vegas. A parking lot near the sign provides safe access for tourists and picture-takers.

The internationally recognized symbol of Las Vegas is listed in the National Register of Historic Places as an example of the golden age of neon signs.

Michael Hiller