Professional Sports Teams Going Solar
From the NFL to NASCAR, professional teams and facilities have installed nearly 34 MW of capacity across 16 installations over the past five years, according to SEIA.
More than 46 megawatts (MW) of solar capacity are operating at 37 professional sports facilities nationwide, according to new research from the Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA). In the last five years, professional teams and facilities have installed nearly 34 MW of capacity across 16 solar installations, representing almost 75 percent of all the solar capacity currently in operation at sports arenas.
Every leading sports league in the United States, including the NFL, NBA, MLB, NHL, MLS, NASCAR and IndyCar boast solar assets. A third of the NFL stadiums in the U.S. have a solar system, with the MLB and NBA not far behind with 30 percent each. To put the proliferation of solar across professional sports in context, last year nearly 42 million Americans attended an event at a stadium, arena, or raceway with a solar system.
“This data is further proof that solar energy is a meaningful contributor to America’s energy portfolio,” said SEIA president and CEO Abigail Ross Hopper. “Ballparks and stadiums nationwide are investing in solar to save money on costly electricity bills and demonstrating that clean energy is a smart business choice for the future. Solar is becoming so commonplace on sports stadiums and arenas that all of the 2018 champions thus far have been teams with solar facilities – the Philadelphia Eagles, Golden State Warriors, and the Washington Capitals right here in D.C.”
“The adoption and investment in solar energy systems by the sports and entertainment industry has been a critical element in the sports greening movement,” said Justin Zeulner, Executive Director of the Green Sports Alliance. “Leagues, teams, venues, collegiate campuses, athletes, arenas, and stadiums are all vital in reducing our reliance on fossil fuels and these clean-energy investments support building healthier, more sustainable communities where we live and play. We look forward to collaborating further with SEIA to advance further projects, as well as fan, athlete, and community engagement platforms.”