Koshien Becomes Eco Ballpark

Hanshin Electrical Railways Co. Ltd announced on 11 April that from this fall, Koshien Baseball Stadium will feature rooftop solar paneling that will go towards meeting the energy demands for night games.. In order to consider the environment, rainwater recycling will also be introduced to water the natural grass, turning the stadium into an Eco-ballpark.

The current roofing stretches from behind the nets to the middle of the infield bleachers, covering about 5300 square meters. During the refurbishing the seating will expand as far as the Alps seating area, with an increase in surface area of 20 percent.

After solar paneling has been attached to the roof, the facility will be able to generate 800-kw of electricity per hour. Used in conjunction with the introduction of energy saving measures, it should provide sufficient energy to provide the necessary lighting for night games.

Rainwater that falls onto the roof will be channeled into underground storage tanks, and used to provide water for the sprinkler system that feeds the ground’s natural turf.
Unfortunately, the ivy that grows on the outside of the stadium, and has come to be something of a symbol for Koshien, will be affected by the renovation. However, the ivy, which has always acted as a natural shading mechanism, will be grown again using saplings from the current foliage.

Measures will also be introduced to reduce noise and light pollution, as well as littering from Koshien’s famous ‘jet balloons’.

Translated from an article appearing in the Yomiuri Shimbun on 11 April, 2007