Bonaroo fans have fully funded a 50kW solar energy system to help power the popular event.
The Bonnaroo Music and Arts Festival is a four-day event held on a farm in Manchester, Tennessee.
Described by Rolling Stone magazine as one of the 50 moments that changed the history of rock and roll, the event is held each June.
As part of its environmental efforts, portable solar panel systems have run the Solar Stage at Bonnaroo for several years. The new, much larger system is the USA’s first permanent solar array at a music festival.
The 50 kW solar photovoltaic array has already begun cranking electricity to support the 2013 festival and beyond.
“The best part? It came straight from all of you!,” says a recent blog post from event organisers, referring to the fact the project was fully funded by opt-in contributions that fans selected while buying their ‘Roo tickets.
According to a related article on CraveOnline, the solar panels will generate more than 61,000 kWh of clean electricity annually, providing about 20 percent of Bonnaroo’s total electricity needs.
Some of the other steps Bonaroo has taken to green the event include adding a year-round sustainability coordinator to its staff, the installation of free water stations throughout the concert site where fans can refill reusable water bottles and the use of biodegradable wraps, plates, cups and cutlery.
All portable toilets are stocked with recycled toilet paper and recycled paper is also used for all program and administrative needs.
Over 30 tons of PET bottles are recycled at the event each year. CraveOnline says Bonaroo’s various recycling and composting program have diverted more than 1,360 tonnes of festival waste from landfills since 2002.
The event incorporates Planet Roo; an eco and social-activism village focused on promoting a socially responsible lifestyle and features a waste-free cafe.
