SEATTLE FOOTBALLERS GO SOLAR

Thinking green; Qwest Field, home of the Seahawks and Sounders FC, is turning sunshine into electricity with the installation of 3,750 solar panels on the roof of the Event Center.
Clare Farnsworth, May 17, 2011 (Seattle Seahawks)

"…Peter McLoughlin, president of the Seahawks, SoundersFC and First & Goal Inc…Dean Allen, CEO of McKinstry…and Ben Bierman, executive vice president of operations and engineering for Solyndra…joined forces…to announce the installation of 3,750 solar panels on the roof of the Qwest Field Event Center.

"While Solyndra developed the glass-rod technology used in the panels and McKinstry is installing them, it is the Seahawks and SoundersFC who have been pushing to turn what was a vast – and unused – roof area into an innovative energy-supplying system…"

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"…[It wasn’t done]…in 2002…when the stadium opened…[because the Solyndra technology] was not developed until 2008…[The solyndra] rods are lighter and generate more energy than the large solar panels. They’re also easier to install and maintain [without harm to the roof]…Lighter and more efficient, yet still strong and durable…[Solyndra’s] panels have been tested to withstand 130 mph winds and hail the size of golf balls…"

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"…[The technology is expected to] slice the utility costs at Qwest by 21 percent (or $280,000), while also reducing carbon emissions (by 1,346 metric tons) and saving on water (by 1,342,660 gallons). The system will generate 830,000 kWh of electricity annual, which is the equivalent of powering 95 homes in the Seattle area…

"…[I]nstallation… is scheduled to be concluded [within two weeks]…[It] is the largest solar-panel installation venture on the West Coast…[and adds to] the continued commitment to being green by the Seahawks and SoundersFC – championed by owner Paul Allen and Jody Allen, president and CEO of Vulcan Inc…In 2010 at Qwest Field, 525 tons of waste was recycled…"