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Solar in Sports

by Adam Johnston January 31, 2015
written by Adam Johnston January 31, 2015
Solar in Sports

Solar in sports is becoming mainstream — as professional sports seek a competitive edge in sustainability.

According to a new study from the Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA), total accumulative solar capacity in pro sports facilities hit 21.7 MW in 2014. That’s enough to power 3,000 US homes. SEIA’s study looked at 25 stadiums and arenas as well as 12 raceways.

Solar-Sports-Fact-Sheet

Photo Credit: Solar in Sports By SEIA

Topping the solar list was Indianapolis Speedway, home of the Indianapolis 500, with 9,000 kW of solar power capacity. Indianapolis Speedway has the largest sports solar farm in the world, enough to power 1,000 US homes. Second is a tie between Lincoln Financial Field (home of the National Football League’s Philadelphia Eagles) and Pocono Raceway, with 3,000 kW each. Fourth was the NFL’s Washington Redskins FedEx Field in Landover, Maryland, with 2,000 kW of solar. Rounding out the top five is home for the NFL’s New England Patriots and Major League Soccer’s New England Revolution, Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Massachusetts (1,000 kW).

IndyFBMeme

Photo Credit: Indianapolis Speedway meme by SEIA

Staples Center in Los Angeles, California, home of the National Hockey League’s Los Angeles Kings plus the National Basketball Association’s Los Angeles Lakers and Clippers, topped solar energy capacity for an NHL/NBA arena with 364 kW.

EaglesFBMeme

Photo Credit: Philidelphia Eagles meme by SEIA

San Francisco Giants AT&T Park, with 120 kW, was Major League Baseball’s number one solar representative.

Overall, SEIA’s study into solar in professional sports facilities provides a fascinating correlation with what is going on in the rapid growth in overall solar markets.

Consider that, in 2007, the Colorado Rockies Coors Field was the first pro sports facility to install a solar power system (at just 9.9 kW). In just over 8 years, pro sports solar installations have grown 10 times over, with 123,000 panels installed across 37 US facilities.

SportsFBMeme

Photo Credit: Pro Sports meme by SEIA 

During this period, US solar installations have also rapidly grown. New solar PV installation capacity back in 2007 was 0.342 GW. In 2014, third quarter installations were 1.35 GW alone.

Falling solar costs, along with increased risks from climate change, have been key drivers in helping professional sports facilities move towards solar energy. With more extreme weather events anticipated due to a changing climate, expect further renewable energy investments from pro sports leagues, especially as sports look to power the games we love to watch without wrecking the planet.

AT&T ParkGillette StadiumIndianapolis SpeedwayLincoln FIeldLos Angeles ClippersLos Angeles KingsLos Angeles LakersMajor League BaseballMajor League SoccerNational Basketball LeagueNational Football LeagueNew England PatriotsNew England RevolutionPhildelphia EaglesSan Francisco GiantsSeattle SeahawksSolar Energy in Pro SportsSolar Energy Industries AssocationSustainability in Pro Sports
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Adam Johnston

Is currently studying at the School of the Environment Professional Development program in Renewable Energy from the University of Toronto. Adam also graduated from University of Winnipeg with a three-year B.A. combined major in Economics and Rhetoric, Writing & Communications. Adam also writes for CleanTechnica and has also written for PlanetSave. He also owns his own part time tax preparation business. His eventual goal is to be a cleantech policy analyst, and is currently sharpening his skills as a renewable energy writer. You can follow him on Twitter @adamjohnstonwpg or at www.adammjohnston.wordpress.com.

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