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Lincoln Financial Field will soon be equipped with solar panels and wind turbines. (Photo courtesy the Philadelphia Eagles)

The Eagles don’t just wear green, they really want to be green.

Lincoln Financial Field, recently named the NFL’s most vegetarian-friendly stadium, will soon be the world’s first major sports stadium to convert to completely self-generated renewable energy.

The Eagles today announced a groundbreaking plan to power “The Linc” through a combination of wind, solar and dual-fuel generated electricity, which will provide more than enough to supply the stadium’s needs.

To achieve the goal of energy-independence, approximately 80 20-foot spiral-shaped wind turbines on the top rim of the stadium and 2,500 solar panels will be installed at the stadium by the beginning of next season.

The energy to be generated by on-site renewable sources at The Linc is comparable to the annual electricity usage of 26,000 homes.

Engineers at Solar Blue — the company installing the wind turbines and solar panels — estimate that converting the stadium to renewable energy will eliminate CO2 emissions equivalent to 500,000 barrels of oil or 24 million gallons of gasoline consumed annually. That equates to removing the carbon emissions of 41,000 cars each year.

This would make Lincoln Financial Field the most sustainable major sports stadium in the entire world.

The team also created and signed a Declaration of Energy Independence to confirm their commitment to the project and other green initiatives including water conservation, waste reduction, recycling and more.

Overall, this is a truly impressive commitment to sustainability from one of Philadelphia’s most highly visible sports teams.

Add it to the list of accomplishments of the Eagles’ longstanding Go Green! Program.

• In 2009, the Eagles recycled 365 tons of waste, resulting in a recycling rate of 31.7%.
• The Eagles have also launched a composting program, capturing more than 25 tons of organic waste.
• Almost all of the organization’s soft tissue products are made from 100% recycled fiber.
• The Eagles have become an example of “closing the circle,” which means they produce raw feedstock for oil recyclers and then buy hundreds of gallons of bio-diesel product.
• The Eagles use natural and organic fertilizers to maintain fields and work to minimize use of pesticides.
• The Eagles have replaced more than 600 toilets to increase water conservation.
• The Eagles have implemented a Renewable Energy Employee Benefit Program, which encourages full-time Eagles employees to purchase renewable energy credits (RECs) to power their homes. The Eagles then compensate employees for any price difference incurred. Last year, more than half of the organization’s employees participated, and the renewable energy purchased is equivalent to removing 37 cars from the road.

What else is there to say? Go Eagles!

Philadelphia Eagles Go Green! [Official Site]
Eagles aim to turn Lincoln Financial Field into world’s greenest stadium [Philadelphia Inquirer]