The announcement was made by team owner Jeffrey Lurie and his wife Christina, former Eagles quarterback and current broadcaster Ron Jaworski, Roger Goodell, Commissioner of the National Football League in the US, Philadelphia Mayor Michael Nutter, and Lee Maher, chairman and CEO of SolarBlue, the renewable energy firm that will oversee the conversion.
Under the contract, SolarBlue, which is based in Orlando (Florida) in the US, will install approximately 80 20-foot spiral-shaped wind turbines on the top rim of the stadium, affix 2,500 solar panels on the stadium's façade, build a 7.6 MW onsite dual-fuel cogeneration plant and implement sophisticated monitoring and switching technology to operate the system.
Over the next year, SolarBlue will invest in excess of $30 million to build out the system, with a completion goal of September 2011.
SolarBlue will then maintain and operate the stadium's power system for the next 20 years at a fixed annual price increase in electricity, saving the Eagles an estimated $60 million in energy costs. An estimated 4 MW of excess energy off-peak will be sold back to the local electric grid.
“The Philadelphia Eagles are proud to take this vital step towards energy independence from fossil fuels by powering Lincoln Financial Field with wind, solar and dual-fuel energy sources,” Jeffrey Lurie said.
“This commitment builds upon our comprehensive environmental sustainability program, which includes energy and water conservation, waste reduction, recycling, composting, toxic chemical avoidance and reforestation. It underscores our strong belief that environmentally sensitive policies are consistent with sound business practices,” he said.
Solar Blue estimates that converting the stadium to renewable energy will eliminate CO2 emissions equivalent to 500,000 barrels of oil or 24 million gallons of gasoline consumed annually.
“The Eagles' plan for Lincoln Financial Field represents one of the most extensive renewable energy commitments by any major facility," Maher said. "The energy plan will utilize the most technologically advanced wind turbines and solar panels. With this installation, we anticipate that many businesses will see the benefits of renewable energy and be inspired to emulate the Eagles' bold leadership."
The Philadelphia Eagles was the first pro athletic team in the US to implement a major environmental initiative when it first launched its Go Green campaign in 2003. Since that time, several other teams joined the eco-friendly bandwagon including the New England Patriots and New York Jets (American football), San Francisco Giants and Seattle Mariners (Major League Baseball), Phoenix Suns (National Basketball League).
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