The Washington Redskins are installing 8,000 solar panels outside FedEx Field that will generate some of the electricity used at the stadium on game days and power it entirely at all other times.
The team announced the project Wednesday as part of a nine-year agreement with NRG Energy, a wholesale power generation company that is listed among the Fortune 500.
Construction is underway to build what amounts to a solar-powered roof over 850 parking spaces in FedEx Field’s Platinum A1 lot. The panels have the capacity to generate up to two megawatts of electricity at any time. NRG spokesperson Pat Hammond said that constitutes a “significant portion” of the electricity required to operate FedEx Field on game days.
A much smaller amount of electricity will be produced by thin film solar technology incorporated into two 35-foot sculptures of football figures located at one of the stadium’s gates. The installation project also includes 10 electric vehicle charging stations.
A Redskins spokesman did not know the cost of the project Wednesday, and Hammond would not disclose financial terms. It is expected to be completed in September.
• Rich Campbell can be reached at rcampbell@washingtontimes.com.
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