Solar Power For Sports Stadiums

Show a red card to carbon emissions and power your sports stadium with renewable, sustainable energy to reduce electricity bills by up to 30%.

Fully Funded Solar Solution Calculator

Shawton Energy works with sports stadiums to harness solar power by installing 100% fully funded, high-quality Solar PV systems, utilising existing rooftop space.

We work with the world’s best-quality solar technology providers to create peace of mind for our clients.

Sports stadiums generally have lots of unused roof space and use a lot of electricity on game days, training days and also non-core events, so installing a Solar PV system can make the stadium greener, no matter what colour the team plays in.

Commercial rooftop solar panels for all business sectors

Why choose solar?

In the past 12 months, energy bills have risen by a staggering 96%. With Solar PV, you can reduce electricity bills by up to 30%.

Meet CSR objectives.

Solar power can produce substantial savings for your business.

You can work towards carbon net zero

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Show your environmental commitment to fans around the world.

Solar PV can help to futureproof your business.

Harness renewable, sustainable energy sources.

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A typical solar panel will save over 900kg of CO2 annually, meaning guaranteed carbon reduction compared to grid consumption.

Solar PV and Sports Stadiums

More and more stadiums across the globe are having Solar PV systems installed in a bid to increase their sustainability.

Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta was the first stadium in the world to win Platinum certification for Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) from the United States Green Building Council. With 4,000 rooftop solar panels and energy- efficient LED lighting throughout, the stadium uses an average of 29% less energy than others.

The Johann Cruijff Arena in Amsterdam has 4,200 solar panels on its rooftop and generates 930,000kw hours of electricity each year. This green energy is used to balance differences in energy supply and demand, provide clean backup power in the event of a power cut and provide energy to the grid when not in use by the stadium.

Ali Sami Yen Spor Kompleksi Stadium in Istanbul earned itself a place in the Guinness World Records for producing an incredible 4.2 megawatts of energy from 10,404 panels on the rooftop. The Solar PV system cuts 3,250 tonnes of carbon every year, which is estimated to be the same as saving around 200,000 trees over 25 years.

Show Fans Your Commitment to Sustainability

Solar PV systems are a visible demonstration of a sports stadium’s commitment to operating a venue that is taking active steps towards carbon net zero. Sports teams can leverage their Solar PV systems as community and fan engagement tools that can help build brand equity for the team and stadium.

Around the world, sports stadiums have held public events to mark green energy project completion, added information to their stadium tours about sustainability measures and used Solar PV systems as educational resources for local schools and universities; teaching the next generation about the importance of utilising renewable power sources.

What is a Power Purchase Agreement?

Businesses can switch effortlessly to low-cost, green solar energy without any upfront costs with a Power Purchase Agreement (PPA).

We are co-owned by Lazard Investment, a global investment firm and bank, and have allocated £250m of funding for commercial renewable projects. This investment in Shawton Energy demonstrates our standing in the market and with over 100 projects completed to date across various sectors we are in a great position to help more businesses transition to greener, cheaper energy.

Our PPA helps businesses transition to generating green energy through technologies such as solar, but with zero upfront investment or ongoing operational costs.

We design, install, operate and maintain the solar project through a long term contract ranging from 15-25 years in length and you agree to buy the energy produced by the solar assets at a secured, fixed price throughout the contract which is much lower than what you would buy off the grid.

We continue to operate and maintain the project once it has gone live through both remote analysis of the project and physical inspections on a annual basis to ensure that the solar is creating as much energy as possible.

At the end of the contract term we hand the solar across to you and will continue to produce free solar energy for years to come.

Power purchase agreements for solar PV solutions

Why would the food & drink industry want to adopt solar?

The food and drink industry is increasingly adopting solar energy for several key reasons. Firstly, solar power offers substantial cost savings over time by reducing reliance on traditional, more expensive, grid prices. Given the industry’s high energy consumption, particularly for refrigeration, cooking, and processing, solar can significantly lower operational expenses.

Secondly, solar energy aligns with sustainability goals. Consumers today prioritise environmentally responsible brands, and solar adoption helps reduce carbon emissions, minimising the environmental impact of food production. It also supports corporate social responsibility initiatives, enhancing brand reputation and consumer trust. With pressure for businesses to deliver on their Scope 3 emission commitments to their customers such as supermarkets, the food & drink industry see solar as a huge win to deliver on these commitments.

Moreover, solar power provides energy security. By generating their own electricity, companies are less vulnerable to energy price volatility and potential supply disruptions. This can lead to more stable long- term financial planning and operational continuity.

Finally, with access to a fully funded solution with Shawton Energy, renewable energy can make solar installation more affordable, offering immediate financial benefits. In a highly competitive industry, these savings can be reinvested into innovation, product development, or expanded sustainability efforts, giving businesses a competitive edge while contributing to a greener planet.

How does the Power Purchase Agreement Process Work?

If your energy usage and roof space meet specific criteria, you can benefit from free solar PV installation financed by us through a PPA. Once we have confirmed your eligibility, we’ll partner with you to get to know you and your facility’s energy consumption.

This is part of our five-step approach, beginning with an inital meeting, a desktop feasibility study and then a technical site visit. Once we’ve assessed your rooftop for solar suitability, we create a proposal based on your consumption, showing a detailed projection of your cost & carbon savings over the course of the PPA.

Our Initial 5 Step Approach

5 step power purchase agreement purchase for solar energy

Why would you choose a Power Purchase Agreement with Shawton Energy?

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You keep the capital in your business and invest in other projects whilst still enjoying 100% renewable energy

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Your savings are immediate with no off-setting of high set-up costs

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The assets sit on Shawton Energy’s balance sheet and not yours

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You don’t have to worry about the ongoing maintenance or operation of the solar assets

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You are less vulnerable to the volatility of grid prices for a percentage of your energy demand

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You buy the energy produced by the Solar PV at an agreed price for the duration of the contract. If the sun doesn’t shine or the assets are not working then you will not pay for the energy

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You enter into a long term partnership with a trusted energy partner

Case Study – Princes Food Group

Shawton Energy is currently in final discussions with a leading established sports league team looking to install a rooftop Solar PV system at their stadium and trainign facility.

They want to future-proof their business and show their commitment to the environment to players, fans and stakeholders by utilising green, clean, renewable energy and reducing the carbon footprint of their stadium, especially on match days.

This Solar PV system would be a 632kWp system comprising of 1536 high-quality solar panels, split between their stadium across two stands and also at their training facility to off-set high energy demand from their fitness facilities.

Before installation is due be carried out, the Shawton Energy team will introduce a full site compound, scaffold access and handrails to ensure safe access to all working areas.

For this project, additional structural supports at the stadium roof would be required for the installation of the Solar PV system. We would work with Shawton Engineering to fulfil this requirement and utilise their extensive experience working on stadiums such as Anfield, Goodison Park and the Etihad.

The installation would see the sports team generating its own renewable energy, and it’s forecasted that the solar installation would help the business achieve savings of £10.6million on their energy bills over 25 years whilst saving 141,492kg of carbon every single year.

424,000

GBP Reduced On Average Annually In Electricity Bill

141,492

kg Of Carbon Saved Annually

10.6M

Money Saved On Electricity Bills In 25 Years

632

kWp Solar PV System Size

FAQs

Do you do projects throughout the UK?

Yes, we do projects from Scotland to the south coast. The sun’s intensity does vary throughout the UK, however we have many projects in Scotland and the north of the UK that still have great commercial and carbon savings.

Will the installation of solar panels disrupt my business?

No. Our team will ensure your business’s day-to-day operations are not disrupted. We will work with your site team to understand your business, your shifts and any health & safety requirements.

Do I need planning permission?

Projects no longer need planning permission if it is on the roof. It will just need permitted development applications made and we do all of this on your behalf. Larger projects might need planning and if this is the case we will manage all of this on your behalf.

If I have land and/or a car park is there a way of leveraging this space also?

Simple answer is yes, however we would discuss what is possible at our initial call and include areas where we feel it makes sense commercially and technically.

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