The San Diego Padres will install a new solar power system at Petco Park that is being billed as the largest in Major League Baseball. Installation of the 336,520-watt Sullivan Solar Power system is in progress, and is slated to finish prior to Opening Day on March 29.
Petco Park will become the eighth MLB ballpark to incorporate solar power.
“With Petco Park serving as the premier sports and entertainment venue in San Diego, we take pride in continuing to make it the most energy efficient and sustainable facility possible,” said Padres Chief Operating Officer Erik Greupner. “We are pleased to partner with Sullivan Solar Power on this project, which represents a further step by the Padres to improve the energy efficiency and sustainability of Petco Park.”
The project, comprised of 716 high-efficiency, 470-watt Sunpower solar modules, represents the latest investment from Padres ownership as part of their multi-year ballpark improvement plan. The Sullivan Solar Power system installed at Petco Park will be the largest solar power system in Major League Baseball and will generate 330 kilowatts of solar power, enough to power the entire Padres front office. The system will also produce over 12 million kilowatt hours over the next 25 years and is expected to save millions of dollars over the course of its lifetime.
Mayor Kevin L. Faulconer said Petco Park’s new solar installation will help the city reach the ambitious goals in its landmark Climate Action Plan to cut greenhouse gases in half and use 100 percent renewable energy citywide by 2035.
“San Diego continues to lead the way on climate action as we march toward our ultimate goal of 100 percent renewable energy,” Mayor Faulconer said. “We are going to need great, committed partners in the business community to do their part in order to get there. That’s why I’d like to commend the Padres for turning the best ballpark in the country into one of the most environmentally-friendly. Petco Park will serve as a model for the rest of Major League Baseball and as an example for other San Diego businesses to follow.”
“As a native San Diegan, I could not be prouder that the Padres are joining the solar energy revolution, and showing the world that we no longer need dirty fossil fuels to power our needs,” said Daniel Sullivan, founder and president of Sullivan Solar Power. “I founded Sullivan Solar Power 14 years ago to create a case study in San Diego, proving we have the technology, financing and skill to fundamentally change the way we generate electricity – this project highlights that we are leading the solar energy revolution.”
In addition to the installation of the new solar power system on the ballpark’s upper deck roof canopy, other energy efficiency efforts include the installation of LED sports lights by the Padres in 2015, replacing 768 metal halide fixtures with 400 LED equivalent fixtures. The project cut sport light usage by 40% at the ballpark and reduced the operating expenses and labor hours associated with the maintenance of the previous lighting system, making Petco Park 100% LED in the process.
“San Diego’s citywide commitment to reduce our carbon footprint and increase our use of renewable energy is most visible right here in downtown,” said San Diego City Councilmember Chris Ward. “Through better transit, green buildings, and now the largest solar project in Major League Baseball, the Padres are truly helping San Diego lead by example.”
As part of their partnership, Sullivan Solar Power and the Padres will host educational workshops at Petco Park throughout the season.
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