The Royals' Kauffman Stadium is "getting greener with the largest in-stadium solar array generating electricity" in an MLB ballpark, according to Steve Everly of the K.C. STAR. The facility's "160 solar panels, which have been installed and tested, are expected to produce 36,000 kilowatt hours of electricity per year, which is enough to power four homes." That amount of energy "won’t be enough to meet all the stadium’s electricity needs but should provide most if not all of a crucial element of the game." K.C. Power & Light VP/Marketing & Public Affairs Chuck Caisley said, "Your beer is going to be cooled by the sun." The move into solar energy comes as MLB is "making a push to encourage teams to be energy efficient and use more renewable energy." Kauffman Stadium joins five other ballparks, including Coors Field and Progressive Field, that are already "equipped with solar panels." The Giants have a "bigger solar installation than the Royals’ but it is outside" AT&T Park. The Royals will host the '12 All-Star Game, and the team "wanted renewable energy to be part of putting its best foot forward for the national audience watching that game." The panels are "at the back of the ballpark and stretch around most of the outfield." They can be "clearly seen from most seats although they blend in -- blue solar panels in brushed aluminum frames." The panels are "non-reflective and tilted to keep any reflections from interfering with play" (K.C. STAR, 2/1).
