In the Valley of the Sun, the decision by the Phoenix Suns front to embrace the area’s most abundant natural-energy source -- solar energy – was somewhat of a no-brainer.

Specifically, the Suns are installing more than 1,100 Suntech solar panels (covering 18,000 square feet) to the roof of the parking garage at US Airways Center. The resulting grid will be capable of generating 331,233 kilowatt-hours of energy annually – or enough to power US Airways Center for 26 Suns home games.

The resulting savings, as detailed by EI Solutions: the elimination of 44,000 pounds of carbon dioxide, or the equivalent absorbing power of 46 acres of pine trees.

And, because of the high profile of the Suns in the Phoenix area, it will increase awareness of energy conservation.

“For starters,” Nash told Suns.com, “we’re conserving energy, but maybe more important is the education and awareness we’ll be providing fans. Millions of people are going to come through this arena for years to come and for them all to understand that part of the energy in this arena is solar can provide a major impact.”

It was not a cheap move: the total cost is expected to be $1.5 million, though the Suns are not paying for a dime of it. In a unique financing program, California-based Tioga Energy is picking up the cost of the panel and committing to a 20-year maintenance plan.