US NASCAR Race Track Plans Solar Powered Future

An American racing car track is planning to implement new renewable energy technologies, it has emerged.  Pocono Raceway in Pennsylvania is the site for two annual events within NASCAR’s (National Association for Stock Auto Car Racing) Sprint Cup series, and a 3 MW capacity solar facility has now been proposed for it. 

Once implemented, this will be the world’s largest sports venue-based photovoltaic power site - as well as the biggest yet constructed within Pennsylvania itself -  and it will be comprised of approximately 40,000 solar panels spread over a 25 acre-area lying alongside the track. 

Pocono Raceway Solar Powered

It is anticipated that the 'solar powered Pocono Raceway' project will take less than a year to complete, Brandon Igdalsky, raceway president, stated during comments made at the project’s launch on July 31st 2009.  The president explained that the stimulus for adopting new environmentally friendly technologies was finding out that the site’s electric bill was poised to increase 40 per cent. 

The expected cost of these 40,000 photovoltaic panels is as much as $17 million, but the raceway will likely make this up in ticket sales before too long.  It is also proposing to sell solar energy beyond its needs to a local energy firm.

NASCAR’s Environmental Credentials

Pocono Raceway’s environmental technologies drive will help boost NASCAR’s environmental credentials, when it is currently, generally associated with emission-heavy, high-octane driving.  According to various sources, the cars that feature within NASCAR races emit an annual total of approximately 4,300 tons of carbon dioxide – substantially more than private motor vehicles on a per capita basis.

Three years ago, NASCAR pledged to have its cars being driven on unleaded fuel, starting in 2008.  By comparison, last year, biofuels started to feature within the Indy 500 for the first time.

Environmental Sports Venues

A recent article published by the New York Times listed environmental sport venues where renewable energy technologies were being employed.  These included:

• The National Stadium in Taiwan
• Cleveland’s Progressive Field, which hosts the Cleveland Indians baseball team
• San Francisco’s AT&T Park, which hosts the San Francisco Giants baseball team
• Switzerland’s Stade de Suisse football stadium

Additionally, London is set to host the 2012 Olympic Games, and wind power will feature within these.