Los Angeles finished installing 10,000 solar-powered parking meters throughout the city on Thursday, a project enabling consumers' use of coins and credit cards that already has boosted city revenue and benefited with energy-saving measures.

The city partnered with IPS, Inc. of San Diego for the lease-to-own meter project, which generated about $230,000 in additional revenue during September and has the potential to earn as much as $2.5 million in one year, which would more than double projections by the city Transportation Department.

"The IPS meters save taxpayers money by decreasing costs to the city, incorporating energy-saving solar power, and provide the added convenience of using your credit card," said Dave King, IPS Group president and chief executive officer.

Additional cities using the unique meters include Denver, Colorado; Washington, D.C.; and Eugene, Oregon. Another California city has been conducting trials with the meters, also resulting thus far in increased revenue.

"By reusing our existing poles and using clean solar power, these new coin and card meters are a win-win for customers, the city and the environment," Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa said last week in a press release.