One of the First Solar-Powered Major League Baseball Stadiums
Independent Power installed a 9.89 kW commercial solar array at Coors Field just in time for Opening Day 2007, making it one of the first Major League Baseball stadiums to go solar. This project was made possible through a partnership between the Colorado Rockies and Xcel Energy.
SOLAR PANELS AT COORS FIELD
In 2007, the Colorado Rockies became one of the first professional baseball clubs to go solar, just in time for Opening Day at Coors Field in Downtown Denver. The solar project is the result of a partnership between the Rockies and Xcel Energy, who commissioned Independent Power, a then SunPower Premier Dealer (now SunPower Elite Dealer), to design and install a 9.89 kilowatt (kW) commercial solar array consisting of 48 high-efficiency SunPower SPR-215 solar panels and three SunPower SPR-3300x-208 PV inverters.
“We designed the system to ensure that no glare from the solar panels will reach players on the field,” said Tony Boniface, IPS Founder and CEO. “SunPower solar panels were the perfect choice for this project because they offer the highest efficiency on the market.”
In total, the system will produce over 14,000 kilowatt-hours (kWh) of clean energy annually—enough to offset the consumption of the Rockpile LED board each year. In the walkway just beneath the system, a flat-panel monitoring system displays the real time consumption of the Rockpile LED board as well as the real time energy production from the solar array. Fans will also be able to learn more about solar energy at an educational display inside the ballpark.
“This solar project delivers on the Colorado promise of the ‘New Energy Economy’ that I have been speaking about all over the state,” said Colorado Governor Bill Ritter at the time. “I congratulate the Rockies for their leadership and call upon Major League Baseball, the NFL, and stadium owners throughout the nation to follow the example we’ve set by deploying solar at Coors Field.”
Solar rebates from Xcel Energy helped offset the cost of the system for the Rockies. Similar rebates are available to both commercial and residential customers of Xcel Energy.
“We were pleased to partner with the Rockies on this project,” said Pieter Leenhouts, director of strategic marketing at Xcel Energy. “This Earth Day, Rockies fans can celebrate their team’s commitment to helping take America to a new level of energy independence.”
The monocrystalline SunPower solar panels at Coors field are expected to last more than 25 years, ensuring a steady supply of clean energy and thousands in energy savings for the ballpark over the life of the system.
“Solar power is an essential component of our global energy mix, and companies such as Independent Power and Xcel Energy are doing their part to ensure that it is an easy, affordable option for home and commercial use,” said Tom Werner, chief executive officer of SunPower. “The Rockies have distinguished their organization as a leader, by bringing clean, renewable energy to a great American sport.”
Read more about the Coors Field solar panels and other Colorado Rockies sustainability initiatives on the Colorado Rockies Green Campaign page.
IPS was proud to sponsor a radio advertisement and the Power Play of the Game for all regular season radio broadcasts on KOA radio 850 AM & 94.1 FM of the 2020 Colorado Rockies games.
