The Jets are green...and not just their uniforms. The National Football League’s New York Jets just completed a solar power system to power their team headquarters and training center in Florham Park, New Jersey, the largest for an NFL team headquarters.

"The New York Jets are excited to be at the forefront of incorporating solar energy into the NFL. When we decided to add solar energy to the Atlantic Health Training Center, going green was the catalyst," said Thad Sheely, New York Jets' Executive Vice President of Finance and Stadium Development. "This project is the first of many green initiatives on behalf of the team, and we are proud to be green in color and also in deed. We chose the right partners and are thrilled about what this installation will do for our organization, our community, and hopefully for inspiring the entire league."

The NY Jets worked with several entities to install more than 3,000 solar panels and provide the team with turnkey support and financing. The actual owner of the system is Syncarpha Capital, and all of the power generated by the system will be sold to the team under a long-term Power Purchase Agreement (PPA). The PPA allows the Jets to buy green electricity without paying for all the construction and materials costs. Nautilus Solar Energy, LLC will be providing ongoing management services.

The system will generate more than 750,000 kWh of electricity per year and reduce the team’s carbon footprint by 540 metric tons per year. The installation is also a win for the state of New Jersey, which is currently the second highest solar producing state, second only to California. The project really gives everyone something to cheer about.

--Treena Colby

Image: Jayel Aheram via Flickr