NFL team scores points for solar EV charging

fedexfield-solar-panels-nrg-615Solar electric car charging will soon arrive in the NFL, though, if you’ve been reading other news media accounts of the Washington Redskins’ recently announced plan to build a series of solar carports at FedExField, you probably wouldn’t know it. This very cool fact has been consistently omitted from most of these accounts – at least the ones we’ve seen.

We’ll put the most important news up front, where it belongs 🙂

The planned 8,000 panel installation, which will cover 850 parking spaces, will include 10 EV charging stations from NRG Energy’s eVgo charging network.

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The solar power system at FedExField will provide a portion of the stadium’s electricity needs on game days and can generate enough power to serve all of its electrical needs on non-game days.

As part of the nine-year agreement, NRG will install three different types of solar panels that together will generate two megawatts (MW) of electricity. NRG will cover 850 spaces in the Platinum A1 Parking Lot with 8,000 solar panels. These panels will generate power for the stadium and provide covered parking to protect fans from inclement weather and enhance their tailgating experience on game days.

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Solar will provide shade for tailgaters
“Our partnership with NRG will add to the fans’ game day experience at FedExField and offers a unique example of how solar energy installations can do more than generate power,” said Dan Snyder, owner of the Washington Redskins.

An NRG-branded entry plaza at Gate A will inform fans about renewable energy and showcase clean energy technologies. The installation will include translucent solar panels, sculptures featuring thin film solar technology and 10 electric vehicle charging stations from NRG’s eVgosm charging network.

“There is nothing like homegrown, in this case stadium-grown, energy,” noted Fred Smith, chairman, president and chief executive officer of FedEx Corporation and part owner of the Washington Redskins. “Solar can be a very smart investment. I am pleased to see FedExField moving in this direction and increasing its own energy independence.”

The installation is expected to be completed in September – just in time for the new NFL season, assuming, of course, that there is a season at all.

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