Sonoma's Infineon Raceway Inks Solar Partnership with Panasonic
Sonoma's Infineon Raceway will install $3 million worth of solar panels from Panasonic, part of a 5-year sponsorship deal that will see the global electronics-maker assume a charter sponsor role in the raceway’s new green performance program.
That initiative will significantly enhance the facility’s existing sustainable practices in its daily business operations, while at the same time looking to communicate to the raceway’s customer base about the performance benefits of green transportation technologies. The cooperation with Panasonic also includes the renaming of the Infineon Raceway Technology Center, based in the paddock. It will now be known as the Panasonic Technology Center.
A total of 1,652 of Panasonic’s Sanyo solar panels will be installed at the raceway, much of which will be visible by the raceway’s patrons at its major events and will serve as a continuing reminder about sustainability. The solar power produced by the new system will provide for 41-percent of the raceway’s overall energy usage.
“Infineon Raceway is uniquely positioned to take the message of sustainability to the horsepower-and-performance crowd who have not necessarily been the early adopters in this movement,” said Steve Page, president and general manager of Infineon Raceway. “This partnership with Panasonic is the first major building block in this new initiative and we’re delighted to welcome them as a founding partner.”
Jim Doyle, President of Panasonic Enterprise Solutions Company remarked: “Panasonic is pleased to partner with Infineon Raceway in this very important initiative which represents the future of both our businesses. Solar power is key to the Eco program being initiated by Panasonic in all efforts moving forward as we all look to sustainable and energy-saving solutions for day-to-day life. Infineon Raceway now sets an example for sustainability to its patrons, and Panasonic is proud to serve as the anchor for the program. We will continue to look for new ways to incorporate solar power and energy efficiency in future plans as we enter this long term relationship with Infineon Raceway.”
Other current partners participating in the program also include Safety-Kleen and PG&E, which conducted a comprehensive energy audit of the raceway earlier this year.
