Daytona Int'l Speedway will soon "double as a power plant for Florida Power & Light as officials for both companies unveiled the first of three solar farms that will be built around the massive motorsports complex," according to Godwin Kelly of the Daytona Beach NEWS-JOURNAL. Track President Joie Chitwood III said, "This will make us the fifth-largest solar install at a sports venue across the country." Kelly notes the Solar Pavilion structure just outside DIS' newly renovated grandstands will "generate power not only for the Speedway but for area businesses and homes." FPL plans to "build three solar collection units on Speedway property, including one in the middle of the Sprint FanZone inside the track." The third will be "located on the south side of the facility where the backstretch grandstands once stood." Once functional, the "electric-generating system could power 400 homes or 2,110 school classrooms for a year." FPL President & CEO Eric Silagy said that fans will "directly benefit from the solar power stations at the track," which include charging stations for smartphones and tablets (Daytona Beach NEWS-JOURNAL, 11/13).
