Bonnaroo Installs First Permanent Solar Array

FIRST-EVER FESTIVAL SYSTEM WILL GENERATE
MORE THAN 61,000 KWH PER YEAR

Celebrating its 12th year as a leader in environmentally friendly concert events, Bonnaroo Music and Arts Festival continues to spearhead aggressive new initiatives that raise the bar in shrinking the carbon footprint of one of the largest, most popular festivals in the country. In a groundbreaking effort to actively reduce its energy consumption, Bonnaroo organizers and representatives from Knoxville, Tenn.-based Sustainable Future and Vermont-based Encore Redevelopment announced today the completed construction and installation of the country’s first permanent solar array for a music festival. The 50 kW solar photovoltaic, (PV), system will support a notable portion of the festival’s energy needs. Construction of the new solar array is complete, and it is already generating energy in advance of the 2013 festival.

The solar project was fully funded by “opt-in” contributions that fans select during the ticket buying process. In effect for the past three years and always focused on sustainable site improvements, past dollars have been used to fund the compost pad, the garden, and last year’s mobile tower of power. In addition, a $1 fee was added to every ticket sold in 2012 to generate guaranteed resources for additional green initiatives onsite. As a result, Bonnaroo fans can take full credit for helping Bonnaroo expand its commitment to environmentally focused projects and programs.

The array system, which was planned by Encore Redevelopment and installed by Sustainable Future, LLC, is comprised of 196 SolarWorld modules (solar panels), microinverters, and related components that have been mounted to the roof of a metal structure in the festival’s backstage area. It will generate more than 61,000 kWh per year, about 20 percent of Bonnaroo’s total electricity needs. In addition, the structure will be lighted by an independently powered solar lighting system. While it will not be visible to patrons, fans will be able to see an educational display in Planet Roo and monitor the power generated on the festival website.