RALEIGH, N.C. - Fans attending Carolina Hurricanes hockey games and NC State basketball games this year will get a chance to see the sports in a whole new light, literally. PNC Arena will become the first NHL arena in the United States to feature an innovative LED lighting system called Show-Light Green.

An innovation by Musco, the lights are designed to reduce glare and create a better, more balanced playing light while creating a better experience for fans in attendance and watching on television. They are also expected to reduce energy costs at the arena by as much at 70 percent.

PNC Arena, owned by the Centennial Authority and managed by Gale Force Sports and Entertainment, opened in 1999. The cost of installation for the lights is $650,000 and will be completely covered by Centennial Authority as part of their capitol improvement budget.

"We are proud to once again partner with the PNC Arena, and provide an innovative, sustainable LED solution," said Musco Lighting's Vice President of Developmental Sales, Jeff Rogers. "Our unique system design offers superior light control to put light where it's needed to create a theater effect on the playing surface and reduce glare for players and spectators."

The lighting system will be in place in time for the Hurricanes' preseason opener Sept. 21 against Columbus.