Rockefeller Tree Goes Green

Tonight is the night of the Rockefeller Center tree lighting ceremony in New York.  The tree is a little greener this year.  This year is a change from years past – the tree is strung with 30,000 LED lights (light-emitting diodes).  The reduction in energy costs on a daily basis is roughly the equivalent of powering a 2,000 sq ft house for one month.  Yes, that is significant, but not the most impressive initiative to come out of this.

 What is more impressive?  The tree lighting use is offset by solar energy.  Tishman Speyer, the building management of 45 Rockefeller Center installed 363 solar panels on the roof.  This is the largest private solar installation in the state of New York according to the city’s press release.  These solar panels are installed indefinitely – with a 30yr lifespan.  It’s the gift that keeps on giving.

From the press release:
For the first time this year, the Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree was cut with a handheld saw this year to reduce energy use. Tishman Speyer is replanting/re-greening the land where the tree came from and recycling all appropriate materials used during the cutting event. Upon completion of the holiday season, the tree will be milled and treated and made into lumber to be used by Habitat for Humanity.

Tishman Speyer and the city also announced a green roof for Radio City Music Hall.  The green roof will help with rain water run-off going into the sewers and keep the building cooler in the summer.  It looks like things are on the up-and-up in NYC. 

Source: NYC.gov