The design community must lead the charge to advance the cause of sustainable energy in pursuit of Architecture 2030 benchmarks, which were established to dramatically reduce fossil-fuel consumption and greenhouse-gas emissions by changing buildings and creating a resilient built environment. To do it, designers must visibly and actively promote the viability of renewables. DLR Group has partnered with NRG Energy to design a series of on-site solar power systems for football stadiums for six National Football League teams. Recently, Levi's Stadium in Santa Clara, Calif., opened as the new home of the San Francisco 49ers, and work is just underway on a solar design at NRG Stadium in Houston Texans.
The design program for NRG showcases, on very public venues, that solar design can manifest itself as more than panels attached to a roof or a simple panel farm in a rural area. These systems integrate solar panels and innovative LED lighting to deliver design that complements and elevates the existing architecture of a facility. This integrated design program illustrates that the application and activation of renewables on existing structures can provide multiple benefits for energy companies, customers and the public.