WGL Energy and the Washington Nationals partner to develop solar canopies at Nationals Park

The Washington Nationals teamed up with WGL Energy Systems, Inc. (WGL Energy) to install 4,080 solar panels above the GEICO Garage and Garage C, with SGC Power serving as project developer. The solar canopies will supply power to the ballpark and provide covered parking for fans.

The project was designed to reduce the carbon footprint of Nationals Park via on-site solar PV energy generation. The power from the project is expected to generate a combined total of 1.46 megawatts of energy, supplying an estimated 10 percent of the ballpark's electricity needs. The new solar panels are anticipated to produce approximately 1,890 megawatt hours of electricity each year, enough to power the equivalent of more than 182 homes and avoid greenhouse gas emissions equivalent to taking approximately 285 vehicles off the road annually.

WGL Energy, which has more than 300 megawatts of distributed generation projects installed or under contract across 20 states and the District of Columbia, will own and operate the system under a 10-year Power Purchase Agreement term, with the option to renew for five additional years. In the District of Columbia, WGL Energy currently has 40 sites under contract with a combined capacity of 12 megawatts.

As developer of the project, SGC Power provides design and construction management services. RBI Solar manufactured and installed the canopy structure supporting the PV modules.

"WGL Energy is excited to work jointly with the Washington Nationals and our dedicated project partners to deliver an innovative solar canopy system that will create a cost-effective, diverse energy source to enhance the stadium experience, stabilize pricing and benefit the local community," said Peter Ledig, president of WGL Energy. "We look forward to closely collaborating with the Washington Nationals and the project team as part of our longstanding commitment to provide high-quality and diverse energy solutions to our customers."

"Nationals Park was the first professional stadium to be LEED Silver certified by the United States Green Building Council," said Alan Gottlieb, Chief Operating Officer, Lerner Sports Group. "Since its opening, we have consistently focused on enhancing the ballpark's sustainability. Our partnership with WGL Energy and SGC Power continues those efforts, lowering our carbon footprint by harnessing the power of solar energy."