Oct 3 2014
Today, NRG Stadium™, home of the Houston Texans and the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo™, has become one of the first professional football stadiums in the United States to illuminate its field with an array of high-efficiency LED lights. The new lights, part of NRG Park’s sustainability master plan spearheaded by NRG Energy, will use 60 percent less energy than the lighting array it replaces.
Photo by Eric Kayne/Invision for NRG/AP Images
“As a native Houstonian, and considering this city’s legacy as the energy capital of the world, I couldn’t imagine a more appropriate venue to showcase this energy innovation,” said Elizabeth Killinger, president of NRG Retail and Reliant. “The installation of LED lights at NRG Stadium is important not only for the energy savings it makes possible, but also the awareness it brings to fans and visitors of the potential for using these energy innovations in their own lives, which is important as we enter an era of personal power.”
“We are proud to be among the first NFL stadiums to install energy-efficient LED stadium lighting,” said Jamey Rootes, president of the Houston Texans. “This new lighting system will provide a more vibrant game experience for fans in stadium and at home. NRG has been a great partner of the Houston Texans since our inception and they are a recognized leader in providing sustainable energy solutions. Our goal is to lead by example and we hope that our implementation of innovative sustainable energy ideas like this will encourage our fans, our partners and our community to follow.”
For a state-of-the-art lighting solution, NRG and stadium officials sought the expertise of sport lighting experts Musco Lighting, which engineered an innovative custom lighting system. The new high-efficiency system draws 337 kW at full power, 60 percent less than the stadium’s previous light system. The field lighting array is comprised of more than 65,000 light emitting diodes (LEDs), which are mounted in 480 optically enhanced luminaries. Dimming and instant on/off features further contribute to efficiency capabilities, particularly for concerts and RODEOHOUSTON® events where full light levels aren’t necessary.
"We have provided complete lighting solutions for thousands of municipal and school entities along with some of the world's most prestigious sports facilities, collaborating with our customers to design a system for their individual needs," said Joe Crookham, president and principal owner for Musco Lighting. "Our partnership with NRG Energy and NRG Stadium has resulted in a historical display of sustainable technology, and we're honored to have been part of this project."
The new LED lights are part of a sustainability master plan for NRG Park™. NRG has also installed an eVgo® electric vehicle parking lot at its namesake stadium that includes six charging stations, and soon, with the installation of more than 700 solar panels, NRG Stadium will become the first professional football stadium in Texas to draw power from the sun.
“We are proud that NRG Stadium is known as one of the nation’s most versatile sports and entertainment venues,” said Edgar Colon, chairman of the Harris County Sports & Convention Corporation. “We continue to build the legacy of this venue, with innovative solutions that most adequately fit the needs of the hundreds of events we host each year.”
“In addition to being more energy efficient, LED lighting will serve as a logistical asset at NRG Stadium,” said Joel Cowley, president and CEO of the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo™. “The ability to easily adjust stadium lighting for rodeo events and concerts will definitely enhance the experience of our fans."
With these updates, NRG Stadium joins the growing ranks of other professional football venues NRG has worked with to embrace smart energy solutions that draw power from sources such as the sun and wind, including FedEx Field® in Maryland, Lincoln Financial Field® in Philadelphia, MetLife Stadium® in New Jersey, Patriot Place® in Massachusetts and Levi’s® Stadium in California.