News

The Seattle Mariners Swing for the Fences with Solar at the Team's Arizona Training Facility

Provided by Healthy Planet Partners, KYOCERA and Sky Engineering

OCTOBER 16, 2014 – GREENWICH, CT; SCOTTSDALE, AZ and SEATTLE, WA – Healthy Planet Partners, LLC (HPP), a Clean Energy Solutions Fund that finances, implements and maintains distributed energy and energy efficiency projects that optimize performance in commercial buildings, and Kyocera Solar, Inc. announced today the completion of a solar rooftop and carport system at the Seattle Mariners Spring Training facility in Peoria, AZ.  HPP developed and financed the project with partner Kyocera Solar which provided engineering and project management support as well as acting as a finance partner.  By doing so, Kyocera lowers the risk and the associated cost of capital to HPP.  Sky Engineering and Construction Inc. built the system at the Peoria Sports Complex, using Kyocera’s industry-leading, high-efficiency solar modules.

This 345kW solar array will generate approximately 529MWh of clean electricity annually.  The project will also eliminate approximately 365 metric tons of CO2 emissions, which is the environmental equivalent of powering more than thirty-three homes for one year or burning more than 391,722 pounds of coal, according to the Environmental Protection Agency’s Greenhouse Gas Equivalencies Calculator.

“The Seattle Mariners enjoyed working with HPP, Kyocera and Sky Engineering to deploy this solar project; in our parlance – they’ve hit a homerun,” said Joe Myhra, Seattle Mariners vice president of ballpark operations.  “Incorporating solar in our energy mix, along with deploying other sustainable practices, is at the core of our operations.  Not only is ‘greening’ our facilities the right thing to do, it's also good for the corporate bottom line and we know this PV array at our Arizona training facility will be an important element in our overall energy savings plans.”

The new solar installation reinforces environmental responsibility efforts of the Mariners, which have resulted in savings of more than $1.75 MM in electricity, natural gas, water, and sewer charges since 2006.  The team has been named American League Recycling Champions by Major League Baseball the last two consecutive years.

Michael Richter, Managing Partner of HPP, noted, “Over the last several years, the Mariners have been leaders in sustainable ballpark operations by reducing their use of natural gas by 40% and electricity by 25%.  We’re very proud to work with this outstanding Major League Baseball franchise that serves as a model for other professional sports teams as well their communities and fans.”

Kyocera Solar, Inc., the only solar module manufacturer to earn the highest rating across all six PV module test categories in GTM Research’s July 2014 PV Module Reliability Scorecard, served as technical advisor for the project, which was conceptualized by HPP.  The 1,380 Kyocera KU250 modules will also provide shade to 96 vehicles at the complex, shielding them from the powerful Arizona sun. 

“With 39 years of experience in the solar industry, Kyocera brings unparalleled commitment to helping enterprises achieve greater sustainability and competitiveness by enabling our partners to create innovative solar installations that improve the bottom line,” said Steve Hill, president of Kyocera Solar, Inc.  “As a local company in the Phoenix area, we love spring baseball and believe the Mariners made a great decision to utilize Kyocera’s high-performance solar modules.”

HPP financed, owns, and operates the 345kW solar array and the Seattle Mariners will host the system under a long-term Solar Services Agreement (Power Purchase Agreement).  The project benefits from a Production Based Incentive under the Arizona Public Service Schools & Governments Program.

About the Peoria Sports Complex
The Peoria Sports Complex, located near Phoenix, Ariz., is the spring training and player development home of the Seattle Mariners and San Diego Padres.  The first two-team facility built in the country celebrated its 20th anniversary in 2013 and is considered by many as the premier baseball facility in the country.  Sitting on 150 acres, each team has six major league sized practice fields, several half fields, a newly constructed 55,000+ square foot clubhouse, indoor/outdoor batting tunnels and cages, and are joined in the middle by a 11,000+ seat stadium.  For the second consecutive year, Major League Baseball has named the Seattle Mariners the American League Recycling Champions.

About Healthy Planet Partners, LLC
Headquartered in Greenwich, CT, Healthy Planet Partners, LLC (HPP) is a diversified asset manager focused on investments in energy and infrastructure for commercial, industrial, governmental, and utility clients.  The firm provides capital, expertise, and a broad network of experts to help clients minimize environmental impact and maximize facility performance.  For further information about HPP, see www.healthyplanetpartners.com.

About KYOCERA
Kyocera is one of the world’s leading producers and suppliers of solar photovoltaic modules and systems.  Throughout its 39-year history of innovation in solar technology, the company has been recognized as an industry pioneer with multiple world records in multicrystalline silicon cell efficiency. Kyocera was the only solar module manufacturer to earn the highest rating across all six PV module test categories in GTM Research’s July 2014 PV Module Reliability Scorecard.  Kyocera serves thousands of residential and industrial customers in both developed and developing regions, with more than 5 gigawatts of solar collection equipment installed since 1975.  Kyocera Solar, Inc. is headquartered in Scottsdale, Arizona with regional sales affiliates in the Americas and solar module manufacturing facilities operated by Kyocera Mexicana, S.A. de C.V. of Tijuana, Mexico.

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MEDIA CONTACTS:
Susan DeVico
Healthy Planet Partners
510-339-1527
Susan@healthyplanetpartners.com

Brad Shewmake
LPI Communications, for Kyocera
858-735-8748
brad@lpicommunications.com