More and more commercial facilities are going solar. Sports venues are becoming more mindful of their environmental footprint and using commercial solar energy systems. One of the factors that contributed to this change is economic incentives. The cost of solar installations has decreased, allowing solar panel manufacturers to reach more commercial customers.
There are solar panels on arenas and stadiums for NBA, MLB, NHL, NFL, NASCAR, MLS, and Indy Cars. Some of the biggest solar panel arrays belong to racing facilities such as Pocono Raceway, Daytona, and Indianapolis Motor Speedway. NJ solar panel industry now includes a solar installation at the home of the Jets and Giants, MetLife Stadium. There are also solar panels on the Jets’ practice facility in Florham Park, NJ. The biggest solar array in the NFL belongs to the Philadelphia Eagles that has solar panels on the side of their stadium facing Route 95.
Commercial solar energy systems have a total capacity of 46 (MW), which is enough to power 8,000 American homes. These systems can help stadiums and businesses save a lot of money when it comes to their operating costs. Here’s a list of the stadiums and sports teams that have switched to solar energy.
- Lincoln Financial Field – Lincoln Financial Field has 11,000 solar panels that cover 6 times the yearly energy it uses.
- MetLife Stadium – MetLife Stadium has 1,350 BIPV (building-integrated photovoltaic) panels that produce about 375kW. The excess power can go back to the grid or can be used by the stadium.
- FedExField – FedExField has 8,000 solar panels.
- Levi’s Stadium – The stadium’s 375kW solar power system can provide enough power every year to offset the power used during home games.
- CenturyLink Field Event Center – The solar panels sitting atop the facility produce more than 800,000kW yearly.
- Busch Stadium – The stadium has 106 solar panels that provide 36kW of power.
- Team Training Center and Headquarters – The training center have a 690kW solar array that reduces its carbon emissions by almost 540 metric tons every year.
- Gillette Stadium – The stadium has a solar canopy composed of about 3,000 panels. The system reduces the stadium’s carbon emissions by over 800 metric tons.
- Rams Park – The stadium has a 25kW solar array and other energy efficiency measures.
- Kauffman Stadium – Kauffman Stadium has120 solar panels that provide part of the electricity required to operate the stadium.
- Fenway Park – Fenway Park has a solar thermal system that provides 37% of the hot water required at the stadium. It also reduces the stadium’s yearly carbon dioxide emissions by almost 18 tons
- AT&T Park – The solar panels at the facility produce 122kW of energy.
- Chase Field – Chase Field has a solar pavilion that produces 75kW of power. The solar pavilion also provides 17,280 sq. ft. of shade for people standing outside the stadium.
- Staples Center – The stadium has a 364kW photovoltaic solar system that is connected to another 166kW system on the roof of Nokia Theatre L.A LIVE. It helps eliminate more than 10,000 tons of CO2.
