Are you ready for some solar?

Above: “Solar Man” stands outside of FedEx Field in Landover, Md.

Football is back and D.C. is abuzz with the Redskins’ first 2-0 start in what feels like a century. But there’s something else making waves: the team’s recent decision to install solar power at FedEx Field.

The Philadelphia Eagles, arguably the most sustainably conscious team in America, have also aggressively pursued clean energy sources to power their stadium, Lincoln Financial Field, and offset some of the enormous costs that go into powering game day.

This visible presence of solar power and other alternative sources of energy in prominent public venues not only generates conversation about the benefits of adopting alternative energy, but it also inspires personal sustainability efforts.

Recent progress within the sports community, most notably from the Green Sports Alliance through their work with Seattle and Portland’s professional franchises, demonstrates the power of professional athletics in their unified ability to harness attention and awareness to critical issues facing sports teams and the cities they inhabit.

Though the Redskins and Eagles are NFC East foes and are already in hot pursuit of the division title, it’s reassuring for us non-athletes to know that they have found some common ground in pursuing solar power.