Miami Open Moves to Hard Rock Stadium for 2019

Miami Open
Image: MiamiOpen.com

Elizabeth Letzing is a district director with Goldin Solar in Miami, Florida. She previously spent time as director of healthcare services at The Broward Partnership in Broward, Florida. When she is not managing sales and daily operations at Goldin Solar, Elizabeth “Liz” Letzing enjoys staying active by playing tennis and working out at the gym.

Florida’s most popular tennis tournament, and one of the largest tennis tournaments in the world, saw a big change in 2019. The Miami Open, once regarded as the fifth major of tennis, relocated from its home in Crandon Park to the recently renovated Hard Rock Life Stadium, home of the Miami Dolphins. Legal challenges made it impossible for tournament leaders, including director and former world No. 4 James Blake, from making any changes to the tournament grounds. The Crandon Park Tennis Center had not been updated since 1987, ultimately spurring the recent move to Hard Rock, which recently enjoyed a $550 million renovation project.

Fittingly, Americans John Isner and Sloane Stephens were victorious in 2018 at the last tournament to be held at Crandon Park. The decision to move has so far proven positive, with the 2019 edition of the tournament, won by Roger Federer and Ashleigh Barty, outpacing the previous year’s ticket sales by 20 percent and attracting a host of new sponsors.

Innovations Increase the Usefulness of Solar Panels

 

Solar Panels
Image: stackexchange.com

As the district director of Goldin Solar in Miami, Florida, Elizabeth “Liz” Letzing understands the financial advantages of solar power. A resident of Ft. Lauderdale, Florida, Elizabeth Letzing is also aware of the numerous innovations in solar cell technology, and how they are benefitting the industry and society at large.

Solar panels are rapidly becoming more productive. One example is bifacial panels, which have two light-absorbing surfaces. Correctly positioned, one side can generate power from direct sunlight while the other picks up energy from reflected sunlight.

Another new development is the split panel, which is about half as large as a conventional one. Its silicon cells are arranged in a new way that boosts efficiency, lasts longer, and provides more thermal energy for applications such as heating water.

Cell optimization also holds promise. In ordinary solar technology, objects such as leaves not only reduce power output, but also disrupt electrical flow in the entire panel. Optimized cells re-route the power through non-obstructed cells. This enhanced energy could help solar cells collect more power on shady days.

Customers often refrain from going solar because they think the panels are unsightly. But manufacturers have come up with ways to make them more visually pleasing as well. For example, frameless panels are supported by a structure less visible than the usual metal slats. Another technology coats glass with a clear plastic layer that generates energy by absorbing ultraviolet light, appealing to architects who want clean lines. And Tesla’s new roof tiles resemble shingles, while another maker offers panels whose “skin” matches the color of the surface beneath.