Sacramento, Calif. – Today, the Sacramento Kings announced its first Legacy Partnership agreement with SPI Solar (SPI), a vertically integrated photovoltaic (PV) developer. SPI will serve as an official energy partner for the Entertainment and Sports Center (ESC).
The agreement includes the installation of sustainable PV solar systems on the ESC’s roof, as well as the integration of signage, on-site marketing space, in-event promotion and video content on broadcast and in-event.
“From solar panels and electric vehicle charging stations to advanced lighting controls and low-flow plumbing fixtures, the Kings are dedicated to utilizing innovative sustainability practices,” said Kings President Chris Granger. “SPI is a global company with local ties, and we’re proud to work with like-minded partners that understand the importance of environmental stewardship. Leveraging Sacramento’s weather will increase the ESC’s energy independence and serve as a model throughout the region and sports industry. It’s truly a win-win.”
Based in Shanghai, China with U.S. headquarters in Roseville, Calif., SPI offers a unique approach to designing, engineering and constructing very high-quality, efficient and PV solar systems for commercial and utility applications. SPI also develops utility-scale solar energy facilities (SEF) to provide electricity to power grids serving vast areas.
“We are delighted to announce a partnership between SPI and the Sacramento Kings, the most innovative franchise in the NBA,” said SPI Chairman Xiaofeng Peng. “Through the partnership agreement and providing a state-of-the-art solar PV system, SPI will help the Kings build the greenest arena in America.”
Legacy Partnerships represent 10-year, strategic business relationships with a shared commitment to the community. The Kings and SPI will announce further details by summer 2015.
Today’s announcement represents the latest in a series of activities by the Kings to develop a robust sustainability agenda for the new ESC.
- September 2013: The Kings committed to pursuing a LEED Gold certification, which would make the ESC the first LEED Gold in California and one of the first in the country to achieve this prestigious status. LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) is a widely recognized green building certification process administered by the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC).
- October 2013: The Kings convened a focus group of top sustainability and green technology experts and advocates in the Sacramento region to discuss and vet a range of specific initiatives and strategies to ensure a strong green presence in the ESC project.
- April 2014: The Kings completed a comprehensive, 13-month environmental impact analysis of the ESC site, which identified a range of significant sustainability benefits of moving from a suburban Natomas location to an urban downtown location. For example, studies concluded that the downtown location will reduce average miles traveled per attendee by 20 percent, cut overall air emissions by 24 percent, and reduce travel-related greenhouse gas emissions per attendee by 36 percent by 2020.
- May 2014: The Kings announced a partnership with the Green Sports Alliance (GSA), a nationally acclaimed non-profit organization dedicated to helping sports teams, venues and leagues enhance their environmental performance.
- October 2014: The Kings announced that 90 percent of food and beverages would be locally sourced within 150 miles – establishing the ESC as the nation’s preeminent farm-to-fork arena. Working with Legends Hospitality, the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC) and GSA, the Kings are creating a more sustainable food supply system in the Sacramento region. Utilizing local resources will also help reduce fuel consumption and the pollution associated with transporting food long distances.
About Solar Power, Inc.: Solar Power, Inc. (SPI) is a global leader in enabling photovoltaic (PV) solutions for business, residential, government and utility customers and investors. SPI focuses on the downstream PV market including the development, financing, installation, operation and sale of utility-scale and residential solar power projects in China, Japan, Europe and North America. The Company also operates an innovative online energy e-commerce and investment platform, www.solarbao.com, which enables individual and institutional investors to purchase innovative PV-based investment and other products. The Company has its operating headquarters in Shanghai and global operations in Asia, Europe and North America.