Flickr: Creative Commons by MargiL

New Jersey's Atlantic City Convention Center has begun installing the first section of solar panels in an ambitious project that will result in the largest single-roof photovoltaic power system in the U.S.

The plan calls for 13,321 panels that will cover two-thirds of the convention center's roof making it possible to generate 2.36 megawatts and will prevent 2,349 tons of carbon dioxide from releasing into the atmosphere every year.

Construction started during the month of June and is expected to be completed by December 31, 2008.

The solar panel project is the first in a series of initiatives the ACCVA is planning, including participation in the Convene Green Alliance. The ACCVA was invited to participate as a founding member of the Convene Green Alliance, a grass-roots, industry initiative spearheaded by several associations that seek to affect positive environmental practices through national, regional and local outreach and education.