The big solar push is going to be paid for by Mattioli family, which owns the track and also owns the South Boston Speedway.  The installation, which has received NASCAR's blessing and approval, will be installed over the 25 acre parking lot across the street from the race track.  The 40,000 panel installation will cost $15M USD to $17M USD, but will more than pay for itself over the panels' lifetime. 

The track had pondered solutions when deregulation threaten to raise its power bills by nearly 40 percent, an increase of approximately $500,000.  The idea of solar power was a big hit.  A deal with PJM Interconnection, a regional transmission organization that operates a wholesale electricity market and grid, was signed.  The track should save in the "seven figures" per year, according to track officials, indicating that it could take 15 years or less to recoup the investment (modern panels are designed to last 20 years or more).

Pocono Raceway’s president, Brandon Igdalsky cheered the landmark deal, stating, "I think it’s unique.  I think that the fact that it’s a raceway that’s going to be the sports facility that’s really going to go all out and do this, I think it definitely puts us in a league of our own.  We needed a way — how can we save the most money on our power usage?  It’s good for us. It’s good for the environment. It’s good for the community."

Pocono may be the biggest sporting solar installation, but it isn't the only one.  Taiwan’s National Stadium, which recently hosted the World Games; AT&T Park, home of the San Francisco Giants; Progressive Field, home of the Cleveland Indians; and the Stade de Suisse Wankdorf in Bern, Switzerland are among other international arenas that have solar installations.

Christopher Moffatt, founder of Evolution Energies, one of the companies that is working with Pocono on the installation, says that several professional and college football teams, as well as a few NHL teams are considering similar deployments. Tristan Grimbert, the president and chief executive of enXco, the French company that is building the farm, states, "That’s the first time we’ve had a request from a racetrack; I was quite surprised.  I think it’s a promising market."

NASCAR's Mike Lynch, managing director of green innovation, cheered the deal stating, "We have a power footprint that can be addressed with renewable energy.  We see the Pocono project as one that’s a fantastic example of how it can be done."

Under his lead NASCAR will also plant 20 acres of trees per year to cut down the sport's net carbon emissions.