These Sports Stadiums Are Leading the Charge in Solar Energy

Solar Energy Industries Association has released a study on solar energy adoption by sports centers around the U.S., and winners have been announced just ahead of Super Bowl Sunday. In fact, both teams playing in the big game, Kansas City and Philadelphia, are top solar adopters at their home stadiums, according to SEIA, although host site State Farm Stadium in Arizona does not have solar.

Overall, more than 40 professional teams have incorporated solar energy into their stadiums and training facilities, or purchased solar power via off-site or community solar programs. Last year, more than 40.6 million fans attended events at solar-powered stadiums.

SEIA found that the National Football League (NFL) leads in solar-powered stadiums, with 32% of stadiums powered by solar. Major League Baseball (MLB) and the National Basketball Association (NBA) are close behind with both at 30% of arenas and stadiums with solar, SEIA shared.

SEIA tracks solar adoption by professional U.S. sports teams, and has analyzed the amount of power generated by various leagues and associations. For example, power generated each year by National Women’s Soccer League facilities is enough energy to charge 150 million smartphones, and the solar power at NBA’s facilities offset emissions to the equivalent of planting 263,000 trees.

Arenas and stadiums can host tens of thousands of fans for each game, consuming up to 10 MW per game, or enough electricity to power around 1,700 households. While these major venues require a lot of energy throughout the year, solar adoption helps the facilities rely more on renewable energy, reducing utility bills and emissions.

About 33% of teams tracked by SEIA have adopted solar, with more teams and companies transitioning to clean energy for their event venues and facilities.

The top five solar adopters in the U.S. include:

• Golden 1 Center in Sacramento, California, home to the NBA’s Sacramento Kings with 8.6 MW.
• Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, home to the NFL’s Philadelphia Eagles with 4 MW.
• Capital One Arena in Washington, DC, home to both the National Hockey League’s (NHL) Washington Capitals and NBA’s Washington Wizards with 3.5 MW.
• America First Field in Sandy, Utah, home to Major League Soccer’s Real Salt Lake with 2 MW.
• FedEx Field in Landover, Maryland, home to the NFL’s Washington Commanders with 2 MW.

You can view the SEIA’s full list of the top 35 solar adopters in professional sports in the U.S. here to see if your favorite team and stadium made the cut.

“As the clean energy revolution takes hold, it’s likely even more teams will join them over the next decade,” SEIA said.