New York Jets Solar Powered Facility

In 2010, several NFL teams decided to go solar.  The New York Jets has the largest PV (photovoltaic) panel system of any of the teams.  Recently, 3000 solar panels were installed at the team’s training facility.  The panels will generate 750,000 kilowatt hours (kWh) of solar electricity, offsetting about 540 tons of CO2 emissions.

According to Thad Sheely, New York Jets executive VP of finance and stadium development:

“This project is the first of many green initiatives on behalf of the team, and we are proud to be green in color and also in deed.”

The panels installed on the rooftop of the NY Jets facility will save the company thousands of dollars each year in utility bills.  Perhaps more importantly is the potential influence of a professional sports team in showing the rest of the country the benefits of solar energy.  It goes without saying that many people emulate sports teams and players.  The installation of solar panels on an NFL team training facility might encourage others to consider the renewable energy resource.

Two other NFL teams have turned to solar power for their facilities. The New England Patriots have a 525-kilowatt solar array at Foxborough Massachusetts’s Patriot Place, and the Seattle Seahawks have an installation at Qwest Field.

Solar Stadium in Taiwan

A brand new solar stadium in Taiwan was unveiled this week, in preparation for the 2009 World Games.  Unlike other solar stadiums in the world, this one is 100% solar powered.  That is, all electrical usage at the stadium will be powered by the 8,884 photovoltaic panels installed on the 50,000 seat arena.

Yep – each and every one of more than 3000 lights, plus two jumbo vision screens, will rely solely on solar energy.  Perhaps even more fantastic is the fact that it takes only 6 minutes of UV light exposure to power-up the entire stadium system.

The stadium, shaped like a dragon, was designed by the well-known Japanese architect, Toyo Ito.  You can see the solar panels incorporated into the design (above), which resemble scales on the dragon’s skin.  No official name yet, other than the “World Games Stadium,” but it will be officially open in time for the Games, scheduled for July 16-26, 2009.

Toyo Ito

Going solar is not the only green element of the new solar stadium in Taiwan.  Nearly 1/3 of the 19 hectare site is reserved for public parks and other green spaces.  The design team also used recyclable, locally-made materials for construction.

Local residents benefit in more ways than one from the solar stadium.  Surplus energy generated by the solar panels will be sold back into the grid, providing 80% of the community’s energy needs with clean, green electricity.  By generating over 1 million gigawatt hours (gWh) of solar energy each year, the solar stadium in Taiwan will prevent 660 tons of CO2 emissions annually.

I would love to travel to Taiwan to check out this amazing architectural jewel, sparkling in the sun that provides it power!