green is universal

On Wednesday, November 28, the Rockefeller Center Christmas tree in New York City was lit - an annual tradition celebrating its 75th anniversary. This year marks the first-ever solar powered tree, a collaboration of GE Energy and Tishman Speyer, one of the world's leading owners, developers, operators, and fund managers of first-class real estate - including Rockefeller Center. The lighting was televised live on NBC during the network's tenth annual Christmas in Rockefeller Center special.

As part of an overall energy conservation initiative for Rockefeller Center, Tishman Speyer installed 363 GE solar panels on the roof of 45 Rockefeller Plaza to help reduce the building's electricity consumption. The solar energy roof, which will be the largest privately owned solar energy generation station in Manhattan, will conserve energy during peak usage times year-round and help power the tree's new energy-efficient LED (Light Emitting Diode) lights.

The solar panels will create a 70 kilowatt DC generation station that is tied to the Rockefeller Center grid and will help reduce the building's electricity consumption. The solar installation will also keep approximately 67,392 lbs. of carbon dioxide out of the atmosphere each year and more than 2,000,000 lbs. over its 30-year lifespan. The tree's 30,000 LEDs, on five miles of wire, will draw a fraction of the power that is traditionally required by the tree, reducing energy consumption from 3,510 kilowatt hours to 1,297 kilowatt hours per day, saving as much energy as a single family would use in a month in a 2,000 square foot home. The new solar energy roof will generate more electricity in its first year than the tree lights will consume over the 42 days they will be illuminated.

Also for the first time this year, the tree was cut with a handheld saw 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.

NBC's broadcast of the Christmas in Rockefeller Center special was co-hosted by Today's Al Roker and recording artists Nick Lachey and Ashley Tisdale. Musical artists Natasha Bedingfield, Tony Bennett, Celine Dion and Josh Groban, among others, performed current hits and holiday classics.

NBC Universal