Verizon Center to buy offsite solar power

Verizon Center, the sports and entertainment arena in Washington, DC, will operate using 25% solar energy that will be sourced from an offsite array.

This is thanks to a deal between Monumental Sports & Entertainment and WGL Energy Services Inc, part of WGL Holdings Inc (NYSE: WGL). Under it, Monumental Sports & Entertainment will purchase solar electricity to power Verizon Center from an new third-party owned solar facility in Frederick County, Maryland. From late 2017, Verizon Center will receive about 4.7 million kWh per year from 3.5 MW of the solar project.

The deal will allow Monumental Sports & Entertainment to reduce its carbon footprint, while benefitting from electricity price certainty at Verizon Center during the long-term contract, according to a press release today.

"While arenas or ballparks often have obstacles for installing on-site energy sources due to limited space, offsite energy provides opportunities for teams across the country to benefit from renewable energy," commented Justin Zeulner, executive director at Green Sports Alliance, of which Verizon Center is a member.

Abigail Ross Hopper, president and chief executive of the Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA), said that sports facilities consume large amounts of electricity and switching to solar power can reduce costs. "This highly innovative project is part of a trend being led by major corporations, which see a significant return on their investment, while improving air quality in communities across America," she added.

Choose your newsletter by Renewables Now. Join for free!