Pocono Raceway flips switch on solar energy system

July 30, 2010 at 5:18p.m.

LONG POND, Pa. (AP) — Pocono Raceway has the flipped the switch on a solar energy system that leaders say will make the NASCAR track the world’s largest solar-powered sports facility.

It will be partially up and running this weekend and provide power to the raceway for Sunday’s Pennsylvania 500. It would be the first track to run on solar energy.

Track leaders say the 25-acre installation is so large that it’s visible from space. Track president Brandon Igdalsky says the roughly $16 million project will provide enough power for more than 1,000 homes beyond what’s needed for the raceway.

Igdalsky says the system should be finished in the next week.