AUDI FIELD Washington D.C, USA Images: SolarEdge Technologies
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o save money and operate sustainably while
design and construction included a solar energy system and
doing so, a growing number of stadiums around
the district guaranteed D.C. United a $25m PACE (property
the world are turning to solar to power their
assessed clean energy) loan from EagleBank.
massive banks of floodlights, sound systems,
After a competitive bidding process, D.C. United chose
luxury boxes and flashing video screens. In fact, according
leading local installer, New Columbia Solar, to design, build,
to a report from SEIA, in the USA alone, solar has supplied
own and operate a 627.8 kW-sized canopy and rooftop PV
sports facilities with 46 megawatts of power – enough for
system from SolarEdge – which is projected to improve
nearly 8,000 homes. Included in this trend is Washington
stadium sustainability and public health in the surrounding
D.C.’s Audi Field, home to one of the most decorated clubs in
communities.
Major League Soccer: D.C. United.
The SolarEdge solution with three phase inverters and P800
As the famed club moved from its historic RFK Stadium to
power optimisers was chosen for its safety, design flexibility
a new home in Southwest, D.C., it became D.C. United’s
and ability to maximise energy yield.
mission to build an environmentally-friendly venue, one that
New Columbia Solar will sell 100% of the energy generated
could combat high-energy consumption and rising utility
to D.C. United at a fixed price for 25 years. This scenario lets
costs. In keeping with D.C.’s rating as a LEED (Leadership
the club buy renewable energy from New Columbia Solar at a
in Energy and Environmental Design) city, Audi Field’s
lower price than the utility, without requiring any up-front
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