Dive Brief:
- The Miami Heat and NRG have partnered to transform a portion of the AmericanAirlines Arena into a "solar pavilion," designed to produce green power but also expose fans to sustainable energy solutions.
- NRG will install a solar pavilion on the east side of the arena, with circles spanning 16 to 24 feet in diameter which will appear to be sky lights, but are actually translucent solar panels utilizing building integrated photovoltaic (BIPV) solar technology.
- The new solar panel-integrated pavilion is scheduled to be completed by the end of November.
Dive Insight:
The AmericanAirlines Arena is about 15 years old, but the deal with NRG adds a decidedly current element.
"We’ve recommitted ourselves and redoubled our efforts to remain at the forefront of the green movement,” said Eric Woolworth, president of The Heat Group’s business operations. “We’ve partnered with NRG because they are the game changers of the clean energy industry. They have the creativity to visualize the solar array project and unequivocal expertise to carry it out.”
Sports stadiums are increasingly looking to add green power or energy efficiency measures, both to lower their carbon footprint and electricity bills as well as adding to the fan experience. The University of Phoenix Stadium, for instance, site of the Super Bowl this weekend, has installed LED lighting to reduce power consumption.
"We are in the midst of a social movement that demands attention to clean energy, and with the Miami Heat, one of the most well-known international sports brands, as our partner, we hope to continue to serve as catalysts to this movement,” said Tom Doyle, president and CEO of NRG Renew
"As the world’s perspective on energy continues to evolve it will be critically important for business leaders—foreign and domestic—to see and invest in the incredible potential of renewable energy, especially built with design aesthetic in mind," Doyle said.
