Taiwan Solar Panels
Stadium
Designed by Toyo Ito, the
dragon-shaped 50,000 seat arena is clad in 8,844 solar panels that
illuminate the track and field with 3,300 lux. The project will
officially open later this year to welcome the 2009 World Games.
Building a
new stadium is always a massive undertaking that requires millions of
dollars, substantial physical labor, and a vast amount of electricity to
keep it operating. Toyo Ito’s design negates this energy drain with a
stunning 14,155 sq meter solar roof that is able to provide enough energy to
power the stadium’s 3,300 lights and two jumbo vision screens. To illustrate
the incredible power of this system, officials ran a test this January and
found that it took just six minutes to power up the stadium’s entire
lighting system!
The stadium also integrates additional green
features such as permeable paving and the extensive use of reusable,
domestically made materials. Built upon a clear area of approximately 19
hectares, nearly 7 hectares has been reserved for the development of
integrated public green spaces, bike paths, sports parks, and an ecological
pond. Additionally, all of the plants occupying the area before construction
were transplanted.
Non-sports fans in the community have a lot to jump up and down for as well.
Not only does the solar system provide electricity during the games, but the
surplus energy will also be sold during the non-game period. On days where
the stadium is not being used, the Taiwanese government plans to feed the
extra energy into the local grid, where it will meet almost 80% of the
neighboring area’s energy requirements. Overall, the stadium will generate
1.14 million KWh per year, preventing the release of 660 tons of carbon
dioxide into atmosphere annually.
