Pocono Raceway solar farm reaches 15 million kWh mark

Everybody talks about being green, but Pocono Raceway is backing it up. Nearly four years to the day of the original dedication of Pocono Raceway's solar farm, the total amount of energy produced by the 25-acre facility reached the 15,000,000 kilowatt hour (kWh) mark. "The Tricky Triangle's" solar installation consists of 39,960 American-made photovoltaic modules (or solar panels) which will produce an estimated 72 million kWh of energy over the next 20 years.

The environmental attributes associated with the system will offset more than 3,104 metric tons of carbon dioxide annually and will generate enough power, beyond the power needs of Pocono Raceway, to provide the electricity needs for over 300 homes.

"It is amazing to see the amount of energy produced by the solar farm in this short period of time," said Pocono Raceway President and CEO Brandon Igdalsky. "To put the amount of energy produced into layman's terms, the solar farm has saved over 1,215,000 gallons of fuel. This would equal 121,500 trips from New York City or Philadelphia to Pocono Raceway in a vehicle, such as an RV, using 10 miles per gallon of gasoline.

"When I watch the NASCAR Green commercial during race broadcasts, there is a line which asks Greg Biffle, 'Got solar to power the sport?' The amount of fuel we have saved would power the top three levels of NASCAR for about two-and-a-half seasons. So, I guess, we really could power the sport."

The 15 million kWh produced has already impacted the environment. The total energy generated equals the use of more than 85,620 60-watt light bulbs for one year at eight hours per day and a saving of carbon dioxide (CO2) offset equaling 270,000 trees or 443,460 propane BBQ grills.

Pocono Raceway has been awarded a number of environmental awards for its sustainable energy efforts including the Excellence in Renewable Energy Awards, Readers Choice Award presented by RenewableEnergyWorld.com and the Governor's Award for Environmental Excellence, presented each year by the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection. These awards highlight the best in environmental innovation and expertise.

The Pocono Raceway Solar Farm is located along Long Pond Road adjacent Pocono Raceway's storied 2.5 mile Super Speedway.