Bury FC’s bright idea: Solar that pays for itself

Bury Football Club has gone through a lot in recent years. Bury FC is on a mission to become more sustainable as part of their environmental strategy. That’s one of the reasons that partnering with HDM Energies was a no-brainer for the club! Not only will they be generating renewable energy, but they will also benefit from long-term savings on their energy bills of around 30% each year.

For Bury FC, installing solar was always about ambition meeting reality: without external funding, it simply wouldn’t have been possible. By structuring the project through a Power Purchase Agreement (PPA), we were able to remove the upfront cost barrier and make the numbers work from day one. The stadium also presented a challenge you don’t see in modern builds – with a legacy of different energy circuits, added across the decades (from the 1950s to today), the electrical set-up was complex. Our role was to take on that complexity, guide the club through the technical and commercial steps that were difficult to navigate alone, and work side-by-side with them to complete the project.

Now up and running and achieving 20% higher generation than forecast, the system is made up of 268 Canadian Solar panels, which will cover over 700 square metres on the Main Stand roof at Gigg Lane. Complete with Solax three-phase inverters and storage solution, we have not only installed the equipment, we will also maintain it for the duration of the contract with Bury FC, covering all the solar solutions associated costs.

The club is owned by the Football Supporters’ Society of Bury, and in recent years, with 100% fan ownership, its focus has shifted to serving the community. Ian Pearson, Club Director and an Environmental Science Graduate, has been central to integrating green technology into the club’s business model.

This installation is central to the club’s long-term environmental strategy, which is aimed at reducing operating costs, protecting the stadium against rising energy prices, and lowering its carbon footprint.

The club is not keeping their solar success to themselves. They plan to share the benefits of solar with the wider community by using their setup as a “living classroom” and commercial showcase. Bury FC is a proud ambassador for making the switch to solar, through the PPA model. They’re already working alongside local schools and businesses to show how solar power can save money and support the move towards a more sustainable way of living, as well a great ambassador for as saving costs and reducing their carbon footprint. They will also be partnering with Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham to highlight the club as a leader in the "Green New Deal" for the Northwest.

Ian Pearson, Club Director of Bury FC, said:

Without switching to HDM Energies, the future of the Bury FC would have been uncertain. Cutting our energy costs by over 30% was a big driver for switching to solar, and the money we now save is now being ploughed back into the services we can provide to make the club a true community hub. From letting local groups use our facilities to widening participation in sport, we’re proud to be stewards of this club’s legacy.