SAN FRANCISCO, July 3 The San Francisco Giants and Pacific Gas and Electric Co. have announced the first ever installation of solar panels on a Major League Baseball stadium.
The completion of the solar energy system installation at AT&T Park is expected to provide up to 122 kilowatts of renewable energy for PG&E's customers in San Francisco and throughout its service area, a company statement said.
"The solar installation at AT&T Park is a milestone for all major U.S. sporting venues," said Peter Magowan, Giants president and managing general partner. "Through this partnership, we hope to raise awareness about the importance of using energy wisely and efficiently and about the need to develop and utilize renewable energy sources."
The AT&T Park solar installation consists of 590 Sharp solar panels in three areas of AT&T Park: on the Port Walk along McCovey Cove; on the newly erected canopy over the Willie Mays pedestrian ramp; and on the roof of the Giants Building. Once connected to the grid the clean energy from these solar panels will flow directly to PG&E's customers throughout northern and central California.
The Giants and PG&E are also working together to identify additional ways to create energy-saving opportunities. For example, the new Diamond Vision scoreboard will use 78 percent less energy than the ballpark's original scoreboard. Additionally, PG&E and the Giants have launched a five-year public awareness campaign to educate and encourage Giants fans to use energy responsibly.
Copyright 2007 by UPI
