Arizona Diamondbacks Moving to Solar Power

The Arizona Diamondbacks are going solar. The team has elected to install solar panels at Chase Field in Phoenix as part of a shade structure on the stadium’s west side. which will shade about 17,000 square feet of the west entrance plaza. Construction began at the beginning of February and is a joint project of the Diamondbacks, the Maricopa County Stadium District and Arizona Public Service Co. The structure is expected to be completed in May.

“The solar structure will not only further distinguish the D-backs’ green initiatives among professional sports teams, but it will also provide needed shading near the ballpark to enhance our fan experience during the hot summer months,” said D-backs President and CEO Derrick Hall. “This innovative project will be on display when baseball fans from around the world visit downtown Phoenix in July to attend the All-Star Game at Chase Field.”

APS will be able to generate 75 kilowatts of electricity from the structure in direct sunlight. The electricity will be sent directly to the power grid, not specifically to the stadium. The system should generate about the same amount of electricity each year that eight houses would use in a year. APS said it plans to use the solar facility as a technical demonstration project including electric-vehicle charging stations and helping to test a battery storage system. In addition, the project will also feature educational exhibits on elements of sustainable living such as renewable energy, energy efficiency, electric vehicles and recycling.

“We are pleased to develop this project as part of our existing partnership with the D-backs and MCSD,” said APS President Don Robinson. “Behind the scenes, this will be a working laboratory. We will study what’s possible with urban solar arrays and how we can power electric vehicles directly from the sun.”

HKS Inc. is the architect for the project. Renewable Energy Contractors, a division of Ironco, is the general contractor for construction.

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