By Cameron Chai
NRG Energy, a provider of smart energy solutions, and The Kraft Group, a holding company, have started building an advanced solar canopy as a part of 1 MW solar project to be installed at the Patriot Place before the commencement of 2012-2013 pro football season.
The solar system with a canopy structure will produce clean electricity and the translucent and normal mix of solar panels partially covers the outdoor walkways of North Marketplace. Hence, offers shade to people who visit North Marketplace for dining, retail and shopping purposes.
About 1.1 million kWh of power is produced annually through the extra electricity provided from the standard rooftop solar panels. The power produced is sufficient to power an average home for nearly 100 years. Nearly 60% of the power for Patriot Place will be derived from the solar power produced after completion. This is equal to removing 575 cars from the road or bringing down over 800 MT of carbon emissions annually.
Patriot Place is situated near Gillette Stadium, the home for NFL’s New England Patriot, and the MLS’s New England Revolution, at Foxborough in Massachusetts. NRG and The Kraft Group signed a sustainable energy supply contract for Patriot Place and Gillette Stadium in December, 2011. In addition, NRG will supply non-solar power to 1 million square foot Patriot Place and the almost 70,000-seat Gillette stadium.
About 450 MW of wind power is owned and operated by NRG. The company is one of the largest solar projects developers in the US with 1900 MW of solar power under different stages of development.
Source: http://www.nrgenergy.com