The Future of Solar Panels on Football Stadiums

There are hundreds of football grounds in England, from non-league and local clubs to league stadiums, which are home to some of the best clubs and most beloved sporting legends in the nation. Now, imagine if every one of them was covered with solar panels. HDM Energies' Energy for All Scheme enables stadiums to harness the power of solar energy at zero upfront cost, helping to drive renewable energy initiatives forward and leading the charge toward a greener future for football.

Several football stadiums have already embraced solar power, setting an inspiring example for others to follow. Ashton Gate Stadium, home to Bristol City F.C., installed a 460-panel system through a Power Purchase Agreement (PPA), reducing carbon emissions by 20% and slashing their energy costs by a staggering £150,000 over the next two decades.

Manchester City, a global football powerhouse, is also stepping up its game in sustainability. Their City Football Academy is set to be powered by 10,887 solar panels by the end of this year, generating over 4.39 MWh of renewable energy annually.

These examples highlight the immense potential of solar energy in meeting the energy needs of large-scale sports facilities. HDM Energies designs, supplies, and installs solar panels for any size stadium at zero capital expenditure. With our PPA scheme, Energy for All, we offer electricity at a low, fixed rate guaranteed for the entire contract.

The main benefit of solar panels on stadiums is the huge cost saving it can have for the club. HDM Energies can provide energy from as little as 15p per kWh*, resulting in substantial annual savings on a stadium’s electricity bill.

By harnessing solar power, football clubs can also significantly offset their carbon emissions, reducing their environmental footprint and improving their public image with an enhanced EPC rating. This not only aligns with their sustainability goals but also enhances their reputation as responsible and environmentally forward-thinking clubs.

Football clubs wield significant influence, not just within the sports industry but also in their local communities. By adopting solar power, clubs can leverage their influence to inspire fans, sponsors, and other stakeholders to embrace solar power as a renewable energy solution. By reducing their reliance on the grid, clubs can bolster their resilience to energy supply disruptions while also protecting themselves from volatile energy prices.

The integration of solar panels is just the beginning of the journey toward sustainability for football stadiums. With HDM Energies, stadiums can couple their solar installations with battery storage systems to further optimise their energy usage, ensuring an uninterrupted power supply for evening matches, concerts, or other events.

Initiatives like electric vehicle (EV) charging stations, added to a system for free with our Energy for All Scheme, enable clubs to adopt sustainable transportation practices among fans, staff, and players. Clubs simply pay a competitive rate for its use. If they wish to charge fans or visitors, we also offer a revenue split depending on the unit rate charged by our charging units.

HDM Energies offers a game-changing opportunity for football clubs looking to embrace solar power. Through our zero capex Energy for All Scheme and guaranteed pricing, clubs can unlock the benefits of solar energy without upfront investment. With a PPA solution that includes design, financing, installation, and maintenance services, clubs can secure a stable supply of renewable energy at competitive rates. We can help clubs transition towards sustainability seamlessly and affordably, reducing their dependence on the grid and saving hundreds of thousands of pounds a year.

From offsetting carbon emissions to cutting energy costs and inspiring others to follow suit, the benefits of solar panels on football stadiums are undeniable. With HDM Energies' innovative Energy for All Scheme, the transition toward renewable energy has never been more accessible. As the world watches, football stadiums have huge potential to drive sustainability in the world of sports, proving that when it comes to scoring goals, both on and off the field, solar power is a winning strategy.