Renewable Energy: Powering U.S. Sports Stadiums One at a Time

Wind energy from the Salt River Project (SRP) will power the Super Bowl on February 1. The energy sponsorship from the non-profit municipal utility sparked much controversy when the deal was struck back in 2013. The deal includes a $1 million sponsorship of the Super Bowl. SRP will provide $500,000 cash, $450,000 of in-kind services, and $50,000 of electric energy. The $50,000 of wind energy, a figure previously estimated at $200,000, will cover electricity, services to the University of Phoenix’s stadium, and renewable-energy credits.

Football isn’t the only sport these days receiving electricity from renewable energy sources these days. The Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA) conducted a study on solar use for U.S. professional sports and found that the total cumulative capacity in professional sports reached 21.7 megawatts in 2014, or roughly enough to power 3,000 homes. The Indianapolis Motor Speedway in Indiana ranked highest with a total cumulative capacity of 9,000 watts. The San Francisco Bay Area came in with the greatest number of facilities to utilize solar power.

Keep it up, U.S.A.!