Solar Powering Staples Center Events

Solar Powering Staples Center Events





October 2008 - The famous sports and 
entertainment venues at the Staples Center in downtown Los Angeles are 
about to go solar in a push to advance sustainable energy practices. 
Highlighting companies and facilities that are going green, Governor 
Arnold Schwarzenegger today installed the last of 1,727 solar panels on 
the roof of the Staples Center. 
"Our landmark global warming law calls for 30 percent reductions in 
greenhouse gas emissions by 2020, and projects like these will help us get 
there while also helping us meet our long-term renewable energy goals," 
said the governor. 
The 345 kilowatt photovoltaic solar system by Solar Power, Inc. of 
Roseville, California spans the length of two football fields on the roof 
of the arena and is the latest green action taken by the Staples 
management team. 
When completed, at least 24,190 square feet of the center's roof will be 
covered with a giant array of solar photovoltaic modules generating 
electricity with zero emissions. 
Staples Center serves as home to the L.A. Lakers and L.A. Clippers 
basketball teams, the L.A. Sparks women's basketball team, the L.A. Kings 
ice hockey team, and the L.A. Avengers football team well as hosting 
special events and concerts. 

The 7,000 seat Nokia Theatre directly across the street will also be 
fitted with solar panels by Solar Power, Inc. 
"Our investment to purchase these state-of-the-art solar energy systems 
for both Staples Center and Nokia Theater L.A. Live, making them the first 
facilities of their kind to do so at this level, reaffirms our commitment 
to insuring that our venues are the most environmentally friendly in the 
industry," said Lee Zeidman, senior vice president and general manager of 
the two venues. 
Governor Schwarzenegger had another solar stop on his Los Angeles schedule 
today - he toured the Contessa Manufacturing Plant - the world's first and 
largest environmentally responsible, LEED-certified frozen-food 
manufacturing plant. 
The facility, its processes, and the product manufactured there will be 
known as "Green Cuisine." 
This is the first time the U.S. Green Building Council has awarded LEED 
certification to a frozen-food manufacturing facility, setting a new 
industry standard. The LEED rating system is the national standard for the 
design, construction and operation of green buildings. It recognizes five 
areas of environmental and human health - sustainable site development, 
water savings, energy efficiency, indoor environmental quality and 
selection of materials. 
"Until now, the USGBC has never LEED-certified a frozen-food manufacturing 
facility," said John Z. Blazevich, president and chief executive of 
Contessa. "As a leader in our industry, we didn't wait for environmental 
standards to be established. Instead, we collaborated with LEED and 
decided to raise the bar for the entire industry and to do the right thing 
for the long-term sustainability of our environment." 
Company officials say they will use advanced design and technology to 
reduce Contessa's environmental impact. A water preheating system saves 
energy by redirecting the heat used in refrigeration coils to the plant's 
boilers. 
Variable frequency drives adjust the amount of power supplied to motors at 
specific times or under specific conditions to minimize energy use. 
And an innovative loading dock prevents the loss of refrigerated air, 
reducing temperature fluctuation and energy use. 
The new $35 million plant is expected to produce up to 150 million pounds 
of food products in the first year and at the same time is set to reduce 
its energy use and emissions of the greenhouse gas carbon dioxide by 65 
percent, according a company statement. 
"I am thrilled to be celebrating the commitment of these companies to 
reducing their carbon footprints,” the governor said. "They are examples 
that going green is not only good for the environment but also for 
business. 
Schwarzenegger has set a goal of increasing California's renewable energy 
sources to 20 percent by 2010, and he supports reaching 33 percent by 
2020. 
California's Million Solar Roofs Plan enacted in August 2006 is now 
renamed as the California Solar Initiative. It offers more than $3 billion 
in incentives for homeowners and building owners who install solar 
electric systems. 
The plan is intended to encourage the installation of one million solar 
roofs in California by the year 2017. If accomplished, that goal will 
provide 3,000 megawatts of additional clean energy and reduce the output 
of greenhouse gases by more than two million tons.





---