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New York's iconic Christmas tree will use energy-efficient lighting powered by solar panels this year, as part of Rockefeller Center's refurbishment project to conserve energy.
The Norway Spruce, set to be lighted on November 28, will use 30,000 light-emitting diodes (LEDs) strung on five miles of wire, according to New York City Mayor Bloomberg's office, which announced the changes yesterday with real estate company Tishman Speyer.
They said the energy-efficient bulbs will save as much electricity per day as a single family in a 2,000-square-foot home uses in a month.
The tree itself is in for more sustainable treatment as well -- it was cut down by a handsaw to minimise pollution, and at the end of the holiday season the tree will be made into lumber to be used by Habitat for Humanity.
In addition to the energy-conservation measures in place for this Christmas, Tishman Speyer said that next year Rockefeller Center will have a green roof and an ice chiller installed.
The green roof, which will act as an insulator on top of Radio City Music Hall, will include desert plantings to reduce waste-water runoff. And because the ice chiller system will make cold water and ice at night, when there is less demand for electricity, it will cool the building much more efficiently.
Rockefeller Center now has the largest installation of solar-electric panels in New York City -- 365 General Electric panels capable of generating 70 kilowatts.
Mayor Bloomberg, one of several American mayors to promote energy conservation, hosted the C40 Large Cities Climate Summit in May where he unveiled what he called the city's "greenprint" for environmental sustainability.
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