Pocono Raceway Gets Solar Power

In what is a premiere for NASCAR, the Pocono Raceway announced this week it will open one of the largest round-mount photovoltaic solar energy system in the US. Destined to supply the raceway with its required energy, the solar powerplant has a 3 megawatt capacity and is so large it is visible from outer space. The track thus becomes the first one to be fully powered by renewable energy.

The utility cover 25-acre and comprises 40,000 photovoltaic modules. It will produce an estimated 72 million kilowatt hours (kWh) of energy by the year 2030. According to the calculations of enXco, the ones which developed it, the solar powerplant will cut carbon dioxide levels by 3,100 metric tons each year and produces enough energy to power 1,000 homes in addition to the Pocono Raceway. This project demonstrates real sustainability and proves that any business that truly wants to go green can do it.

"This is an important milestone for Pocono Raceway and our sport," Brandon Igdalsky, president of Pocono Raceway said. "This project demonstrates real sustainability and proves that any business that truly wants to go green can do it."

The facility is just one of the steps undertaken by NASCAR in recent years to cut its emission and energy consumption levels. These efforts will soon include the NASCAR vehicles.

The dedication ceremony for the facility will take place today at the Long Pond Road across from Gate 3 of the raceway, where the panels are located.

"NASCAR is committed to becoming a leader in environmental responsibility by reducing our impact and serving as a testing ground for innovative new approaches for sustainability," Brian France NASCAR CEO said in a statement.