New Jersey’s MetLife Stadium, host to the recent Super Bowl clash between the Denver Broncos and Seattle Seahawks, is a shining example of how solar is hitting the mainstream.
The ring atop the stadium, made of LED light bulbs, is powered by 1,350 building integrated PV panels installed by NRG Solar in 2012. The 314 kW system can generate 350,000 kW hours of electricity, equivalent to taking 53 cars off the road each year.
The Solar Ring is part of a suite of energy saving initiatives agreed to in a Memorandum of Understanding with the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) back in 2009. MetLife Stadium opened in April 2010.
Credit: NRG Solar
In addition to using PV technology, the stadium is made in large part of recycled steel and concrete, has seating made partially from recycled plastic and scrap iron, low flow faucets, toilets and waterless urinals in restrooms, and food composting.
Each year, the stadium reports to the EPA. In 2013, MetLife Stadium reduced its carbon footprint by 234,834 Metric Tons of Carbon Dioxide Equivalent, which is analogous to eliminating carbon dioxide emissions from 12,086 homes.
