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.

We live in a day and age where going green and watching your impact on the environment is becoming a smarter, easier, and profitable choice. Modern music stars such as Radiohead and Jack Johnson are imploring their fans to lessen their environmental impact and trying to lessen their own impact through massive tours across the nation and world. Earlier this year, the Michigan Summer Beer Festival decided to be a zero-waste beer festival. In Cincinnati, the College of Mount St. Joseph is installing a green roof on the second largest building on campus, the Archbishop Alter Library.

Folsom Field on the University of Colorado campus is getting into the game by pledging to produce "zero waste" at home games. Among some of the parts of this "zero waste" program are no trashcans, valet parking for bikers, and compostable nacho trays. This initiative will make Folsom Field the first major sports program (college-related or otherwise) to undertake such an agenda.