by Brianna Crandall — July 21, 2014—NRG Energy, Inc., was selected by the Santa Clara Stadium Authority and the San Francisco 49ers to lead the way for professional and collegiate football stadiums by incorporating renewable energy systems into the facility from the original construction.
The group is now celebrating the completion of the NRG Solar Terrace as well as the photovoltaic (PV) solar systems for the three NRG Energy Bridges at Levi’s Stadium, making it the first stadium in the United States that is home to a professional football team with LEED certification standards incorporated into the original design and architecture, and the first in the USA eligible for LEED Gold certification for new construction.
Among the installations are solar panels expected to generate enough energy annually to offset the power consumed at the stadium during 49ers regular season home games, with the goal to achieve a “net zero” energy use.
A “beacon of innovation,” Levi’s Stadium will be powered with assistance from a 375 kW solar installation, comprised of more than 1,150 solar panels, along the NRG Solar Terrace and three NRG Energy Bridges. SunPower Corp., the exclusive solar technology partner to the new stadium, supplied its high-efficiency, E20/327-watt solar panels for the NRG Energy Bridges and the NRG Solar Terrace.
Serving as the main entry and exit avenues to the stadium, the bridges showcase the customizable design of NRG renewable solutions and will provide shade on warm game days. The bridges also serve as inspiration for anyone seeking sustainable energy solutions for themselves on a smaller scale.
NRG has also installed six eVgo electric vehicle charging stations in the Great America parking lot that have the ability to charge up to 12 vehicles. These chargers will become part of the NRG eVgo network that supports charging needs for electric vehicle drivers at home, at work, on the road, at their apartment community, or even at the airport.
Levi’s Stadium is one of seven stadiums used for college or professional football where NRG has installed its smart energy solutions. Other venues, including NRG Stadium, FedExField, Lincoln Financial Field, MetLife Stadium, Patriot Place, and Arizona State’s Sun Devil Stadium, have partnered with NRG to push the clean energy movement forward and create structures that generate and thrive from their own on-site energy generation.
As the sustainable energy partner of the 49ers, NRG says it will continue to explore other opportunities to help enhance the stadium’s sustainability efforts.
