NRG (NYSE : NRG) and the Washington Redskins celebrated FedExField’s energy future with the help of former NFL quarterbacks and Redskins’ fans during the “NRG Solar Bowl” Quarterback Challenge and an official “flipping of the switch” at halftime to inaugurate the new NRG solar power installation at FedExField. The solar power system - with more than 8,000 solar panels - is capable of providing all power to the stadium on non-game days and up to 20% of its needed electricity on game days – the equivalent of providing 300 homes with energy for a year. In addition to being the largest solar installation at an NFL stadium, it is the largest solar installation in the D.C.-metro area.
With the help of the football fans gathered at FedExField, NRG CEO David Crane along with Redskins legends Joe Theismann and Mark Rypien “flipped the switch” on the new solar installation from the field during the game’s halftime. Prior to the game between the Redskins and Arizona, Theismann and Rypien teamed up with pro and college greats Joe Montana and Doug Flutie to coach fans in a series of skill drills during the “NRG Solar Bowl” Quarterback Challenge.
“Today’s activities were developed to engage fans, call attention to the power of solar energy and demonstrate how renewable energy is a real and tangible option for a more secure energy future, said David Crane. “Many thanks to the legendary quarterbacks, the Washington Redskins and all of their fans for working with us to show renewable energy is not just a dream for the future, but a reality today.”
The solar power installation by NRG, one of the largest solar power developers in the United States, includes three different types of solar panels that collectively can generate two megawatts (MW) of electricity. By using solar power, the Redskins and NRG look to keep 1,780 metric tons of carbon out of the atmosphere – the equivalent of replacing 349 vehicles with gasoline engines with zero emission electric vehicles.
In addition to generating power for FedExField, the stadium’s 8,000 solar panels will provide shaded parking in an 841-car lot. The design includes 10 electric vehicle charging stations from NRG’s eVgosm charging network for use by fans. The NRG solar entry plaza at Gate A will generate power through a 2 variety of green energy technologies, including translucent solar panels and a specially designed sculpture created using thin film solar technology. The sculpture – a 30-foot tall silhouette of a football player dubbed “solar man” –showcases the flexibility of this innovative solar technology and also is a one-of-a-kind work of art welcoming fans to FedExField.
NRG subsidiary Reliant will be the official provider for all the additional electricity to power the Redskins at FedExField. Reliant is a major retail electricity provider in Texas, and is expanding both its commercial and residential businesses to customers in the District of Columbia, Maryland, Pennsylvania, New Jersey and Delaware.