Solar Stadium For 2009 World Games

The main stadium of The World Games 2009 Kaohsiung will be the first in the world to use solar energy in conformity with a "green building code" a Kaohsiung city government official said last week. Lin Chin-jung, director of the Bureau of Public Works, said the stadium's spiral-shaped ceiling will have solar energy plates installed. Lin said the multi-functional stadium will be self-sufficient in electricity needs.

He pointed out that Kaohsiung City has an average of 2,282 hours of sun per year, averaging 5.6 hours daily. If the solar energy plates receive enough sunlight, they will be able to provide 80% of the electricity needs during the operation of the stadium and 100% during the remaining time. Any surplus electricity generated could be sold. Construction of the stadium began on Thursday, July 6, and is expected to be completed in January 2009, six months ahead of the opening of The World Games. :: Via The World Games