The value of the sports industry to our global economy contributes significantly to the global economy. In the UK alone, recent statistics reported that the sports sector contributed £18.1 billion in 2022: that’s a growth rate of 32.2% from just a decade ago!
These statistics cover global events, the construction of facilities like swimming pools and stadiums, and all other facets of the sports ecosystem. Is it any wonder, then, that solar specialists are looking for ways to integrate renewables into this booming industry?
When you consider the power it takes to run a stadium with its scoreboard screens, heating, and light systems, supplementing this with solar energy makes complete sense.
Learn how solar and sports go together with Project Solar.
Solar in Stadiums and Arenas
Wembley is the largest stadium in the UK, boasting a capacity of 90,000. In India, fans of cricket flock to the world’s largest stadium, the Narendra Modi (capable of holding 132,000 spectators).
Other popular stadiums include Camp Nou in Spain, Texas’ Cotton Bowl, and Stade de France, but only a handful of these have begun integrating solar technologies.
Mercedes-Benz Stadium in (Georgia, U.S.)
The chief aim of the Mercedes-Benz Stadium was to push the limits of stadium design.
Already a zero-waste, water-conserving facility, this Southern American stadium features over 4,000 solar panels installed in highly visible areas, such as entry gates and VIP entrances.
The solar setup incorporates advanced technologies, like bifacial panels that capture sunlight from both sides and translucent panels that allow light to pass through.
Ashton Gate Stadium (Bristol, UK)
Closer to home, Ashton Gate Stadium was designed in partnership with Bristol City Council, with the purpose of decreasing the city’s carbon emissions by 40%.
The system is made up of 460 panels, which are expected to generate approximately 96,000 kWh of electricity annually (all to be used on-site). They also use low-energy lighting, low water consumption taps and heat pumps to reduce the stadium’s energy costs.
Qatar Education City Stadium (Al Rayyan, Qatar)
The Qatar Education City Stadium ‘represents a significant milestone in stadium sustainability’. As the first stadium cooled by solar energy, the facility’s façade is equipped with solar panels that supply approximately 20% of the energy required for its functions.
Solar in Sports Cars
Globally, the electric vehicle market is on a continuous rise, expected to grow 13.8% by 2032! Interest in electric cars is similarly piqued in sports circles, with motorsports organisations recognising the need to showcase these vehicles to the public.
Formula E
Deemed ‘the future of motorsport’, Formula E is the world’s first all-electric international racing championship. It showcases state-of-the-art electric race cars, and while some fans may claim this race doesn’t have the same ‘thrill’ as F1, they couldn’t be more wrong.
In fact, these vehicles can reach speeds up to 200 mph and accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in just 1.82 seconds!
World Solar Challenge
If you’d prefer to design an electric car rather than drive one, Australia’s Bridgestone World Solar Challenge (WSC) is the event for you.
Starting in Darwin and ending in Adelaide, this competition invites teams from around the world to engineer an energy-efficient electric vehicle by hand and drive it for 3,000 km.
Solar Power in Swimming Pools
Olympic solar swimming pool heaters aren’t unheard of; in fact, plenty of gyms, from Fairfield in Kent to Malta National Stadium in Valletta, use solar-powered thermal collectors to capture sunlight that warms the pool water directly.
Eco Gym (New York, U.S)
New York’s Eco Gym uses renewable power in an especially creative way. The centre captures energy generated by members’ workouts using specialised indoor cycling equipment, and this human-generated electricity helps power the building.
But the facility also boasts a 26-kilowatt rooftop solar photovoltaic system and two 8.9-kilowatt wind turbines.
Bath Sports Centre (Bath, UK)
Another gym advocating for sustainability is Bath Sports Centre, which is set to implement up to a 212-kilowatt peak solar array on its central roof area. Subject to final approvals, the initiative is predicted to reduce carbon dioxide emissions by approximately 23 tonnes!
Ready to Join the Solar Takeover?
Solar power can generate energy just about anywhere on Earth. Every day, technologies are improving, and promising statistics show that solar generation increased by a record 320 TWh (up 25%) in 2023.
To play your part in the UK’s Net Zero 2050 efforts, contact Project Solar. We’re proud to have helped 45,000 homes supplement their electricity with renewable energy, so why not get started today?
Contact us to learn more.