Daytona Beach, FL – Daytona International Speedway will soon become one of the largest solar power generating stadiums in the country.
In a press conference Thursday morning at DIS, Speedway officials along with officials from utility giant Florida Power & Light showed off construction progress for FPL’s new “Solar Circuit”.
Over 7,000 solar panels will be installed at the historic motorsports facility by the time the $400 million Daytona Rising construction project wraps up, according to DIS President Joie Chitwood III.
“We’re thrilled to see the new solar structures taking shape,” Chitwood added. “These areas represent our commitment to providing a better fan experience as well as leveraging innovative ways to modernize our venue.”
The Solar Circuit will consist of 3 structures located in the Midway, Sprint FanZone and Lot 10 parking area. 2 of them – the Solar Pavilion and Solar Patio – will also offer shade for race fans while all 3 generate 2.1 megawatts of energy.
The energy generated by those 2 structures as well as the Solar Park will prevent the emission of an estimated 2,200 metric tons of carbon dioxide each year, according to FPL President Eric Silagy.
“As an avid race fan myself, it’s an honor to be part of the extraordinary redevelopment of one of Florida’s most iconic sites,” Silagy added. “The thousands of solar panels we’re installing here will provide zero-emissions electricity for our customers and the Speedway’s operations, helping power races that are viewed around the world.”
FPL estimates that the amount of solar energy created by the Solar Circuit in a year will be enough to power approximately 400 Florida homes or allow the average vehicle to drive more than 2 million laps around the DIS track.
The Solar Circuit should be ready sometime in January 2016, the same month the Daytona Rising project is expected to finish.
Renderings of the Solar Circuit above and below are courtesy of FPL.
Copyright 2015 Southern Stone Communications.