Solar Panels for Sports Clubs

Powering Your Pitch: A Guide to Solar Panels for Sports Clubs

Sports clubs are essential parts of our communities, providing places for people to come together for physical activity and connection. 

But running a club, especially maintaining facilities, lighting pitches, and powering clubhouses, involves significant energy costs. 

With increasing energy prices and the need for financial and environmental sustainability, many sports clubs are looking for solutions.

Installing solar panels has become a proven way to reduce energy bills and decrease a club’s carbon footprint. 

In this guide, we’ll explore why sports clubs should consider solar, how it works, what’s involved in getting a system, how to pay for it, and how to keep it running smoothly.

Why Should Sports Clubs Consider Solar Panels?

Sport has a remarkable ability to unite people and communities. Sports venues are visible hubs, and by adopting green practices like solar, they can play a significant role in creating a positive environmental impact. 

This public visibility makes solar installations a great way to raise public awareness about renewable energy and inspire others.

Many sports venues, like stadiums and clubhouses, have large rooftop areas which are perfect for accommodating many solar panels, maximising the potential energy generation. 

Sports venues often have high energy demands, especially during events with requirements for floodlighting, HVAC systems, and multimedia equipment.

Even when not hosting sports, they might be used for music events or have extended operating hours for activities like floodlighting and hot water for showers. 

Solar power generated on-site can help offset these significant energy needs and reduce reliance on traditional energy sources.

Embracing solar can also strengthen ties with the community. It showcases a commitment to a greener future, setting an example for fans, communities, and other organisations. 

The Benefits of Installing Solar Panels for Your Club

Switching to solar energy offers a range of benefits for sports clubs:

• Cost Savings: One of the most compelling reasons is the significant reduction in energy costs. By generating your own electricity from the sun, you can substantially lower your bills. 

Some sources suggest potential savings of up to 80% or even £10,000 per year for venues with high demands. These savings mean more money can be reinvested back into the club for facility improvements, equipment, and programming.

• Environmental Impact: Using solar panels helps reduce a club’s carbon footprint and energy consumption from fossil fuels. This demonstrates environmental stewardship and contributes to a cleaner, healthier planet.
  
• Improved Public Image and Community Appeal: Having a solar system enhances the club’s reputation as an environmentally responsible organisation. This commitment is appealing to potential members, donors, fans, and the broader community.
  
• Financial Benefits Beyond Savings: There’s potential to earn revenue or credits by selling excess energy generated back to the grid, for example, through initiatives like the Smart Export Guarantee. Solar installations can also increase the overall value of the club or property.
  
• Energy Independence and Price Certainty: Generating electricity on-site provides a reliable energy source that can shield clubs from fluctuating energy prices and supply issues. You can often fix your energy rate for the duration of a contract, giving financial stability.
  
• Long-Term Investment: Solar panels provide consistent savings over many years, often 25+ years, delivering excellent returns on investment. They can future-proof club facilities against rising energy costs.

How Solar Panels Work

Understanding how solar panels work is quite straightforward:

• The process begins with the panels, which contain photovoltaic cells. These cells are designed to capture sunlight.
• The photovoltaic cells convert the sunlight into direct current (DC) electricity.
• This DC electricity is then sent to an inverter. The inverter’s role is to convert the DC electricity into alternating current (AC) electricity. AC electricity is the type used to power the club’s facilities.
• The AC electricity is then distributed throughout the club’s buildings via the electrical panel.

The amount of electricity generated depends on factors like the size and quality of the panels, their angle and orientation, and how much sunlight they receive. Monitoring systems can also be installed to track energy generation in real-time.

Installing Solar Panels at Your Club: What’s Involved?

The process of getting solar panels installed at your club typically follows a few key steps:

• It starts with a site assessment. This is crucial to check if solar power is feasible for your specific location, looking at things like the angle and orientation of the roof, how much shade there is, and the amount of sunlight the area gets throughout the year.
• Next comes the system design. Based on the assessment and your club’s energy needs, a system is designed, determining the size, type, placement, and orientation of the panels.
• Then the installation process itself takes place. This involves mounting the panels onto the roof or other suitable area using special hardware and wiring them up to the inverter and your electrical panel.
• The timeline for installation can vary, but it generally takes anywhere from a few days to several weeks, depending on the size and complexity of the system.
• It’s really important to work with qualified professionals throughout this process to ensure the system is installed correctly and safely.

Costs, Financing Options, Grants, and Incentives

While installing solar panels is a smart investment, it does require an upfront cost. The estimated price can vary quite a bit depending on the size of your venue and the system needed:

• For a small venue needing around 20 kW, you might expect costs between £20,000 and £30,000.
• A medium venue needing approximately 50 kW could be looking at £50,000 to £60,000.
• For a large venue requiring about 100 kW, the estimated price could be £100,000 to £120,000.

However, there are ways to finance the installation and reduce the initial investment. Here are some options mentioned in the sources:

• Power Purchase Agreement (PPA): With a PPA, a third party funds, operates, and maintains the solar system on your club’s property. The club buys the solar energy generated at a rate cheaper than they would pay their traditional supplier. There’s typically no upfront cost to the club. The third party may also sell any excess energy back to the grid. Contracts can range from 5 to 25 years. This approach was successfully used by Bridlington Town AFC.
• Capital Purchase: This means the club funds the system using its own cash. You own the asset from day one and avoid interest costs. This method might also allow the business to take advantage of the Annual Investment Allowance (AIA), deducting the asset’s value from profits before tax.
• Asset Finance: Here, the club borrows money for the installation, with the loan secured against the solar equipment itself. This allows the club to keep cash for core operations and pay for the system over time using the savings and income generated by the solar panels.

On top of financing options, many sports clubs are eligible for grants and funding to help cover installation costs.

• Funding can come from various sources, including local government and specific funds set up to support local sports clubs.
• Government initiatives like the Smart Export Guarantee (SEG) can provide revenue by paying for electricity exported back to the grid.
• The availability and amount of funding depend on the region, the specific funds available, and the overall installation cost. Companies specialising in solar for sports clubs can often assist with navigating grant applications.
• Charitable organisations may qualify for a 0% VAT exemption on energy-saving materials.
• Sport England’s Movement Fund also provides crowdfunding pledges and grants for projects getting people active, which could potentially include energy-saving improvements.

Maintaining Your Sports Club’s Solar Panels

Solar panels are known for being low maintenance. However, establishing a regular maintenance schedule is important to ensure they keep working at peak efficiency, prevent costly repairs, and extend their lifespan.

Key aspects include:

• Regular Cleaning: Dust, dirt, and debris can accumulate and reduce efficiency, so cleaning helps ensure maximum power generation.
• Performance Monitoring: Regularly checking the energy output and looking for issues like a drop in performance or physical damage is important.
• Addressing Problems Quickly: If an issue is identified, it’s important to deal with it promptly to prevent further damage.
• Professional Help: Working with qualified professionals may be necessary for diagnosing and repairing problems.
• Regular maintenance can also help ensure you meet the terms of any warranties or guarantees that came with your panels.

Notably, with some financing options like a Power Purchase Agreement, full system maintenance is often included at no extra cost to the club.

Examples of Sports Venues Using Solar Power

Many sports teams and venues around the world are already successfully using solar power. Here are a few examples mentioned in the sources:

• Suzhou Olympic Sports Centre in China has 7,000 panels generating about 1.3 million kWh annually.
• Lincoln Financial Field, home of the Philadelphia Eagles, has over 11,000 solar panels and wind turbines, generating roughly four megawatts. The Eagles are noted for their broader sustainability efforts, including energy-efficient lighting and fan engagement campaigns.
• The Oval cricket ground in London has over 800 panels generating around 194,000 kWh annually, helping power stadium operations.
• Maracanã Stadium in Rio de Janeiro has a solar installation covering its parking lot roof, generating approximately 1.5 million kWh per year.
• Levi’s Stadium in California, home of the San Francisco 49ers, has over 1,150 panels on bridges and the roof deck, generating about 1.6 megawatts.
• Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) in Australia has over 1,500 panels covering 2,500 square metres, generating approximately 450 kilowatts.
• Forest Green Rovers in Gloucestershire, England, are recognised globally for their sustainability efforts, which include installing solar panels, harvesting rainwater, having a vegan menu, and achieving carbon-neutral status – the world’s first carbon-neutral football club. They even have a solar-powered lawn mower.
• Bridlington Town AFC in the UK recently signed a Power Purchase Agreement, installing a 400-panel array. This saved them 40,000 kWh of energy and fixed their low energy rates for 12 years. As part of the deal, EV charging stations were also installed.
• Beverley Racecourse in the UK also recently had a solar PV installation on their new stables.

These examples demonstrate that solar is a viable and beneficial option for various types and sizes of sports venues.

Other Energy Efficiency Measures for Sports Clubs

While solar panels are a fantastic step, clubs can often explore other energy efficiency measures to further reduce costs and environmental impact.

• Understanding Energy Use: It’s key to take stock of current energy usage, perhaps by setting up a process for assessing data from utility bills and meter readings.
• Smart Meter Technology: Installing smart meters allows for automated data collection and provides real-time monitoring of energy use and costs. This makes it easier to understand consumption patterns and identify waste.
• Smart Control Technology: Using smart controls for systems like lighting, heating, and ventilation can help manage energy use more effectively. These can allow remote monitoring and control and automatic adjustments based on occupancy or pre-set programmes.
• Identifying High-Use Areas: Smart meters can help pinpoint where most energy is being used, such as floodlighting for pitches, internal lighting, heating and ventilation, hot water for showers, or grounds maintenance equipment fuel. Targeting these areas can lead to the biggest savings.
• Developing a Plan: Creating a plan with specific reduction targets is advisable.
• Low-to-Medium Cost Upgrades: Simple upgrades can make a difference, like installing passive infrared sensor lighting controls or intelligent programming for heating/lighting times. Replacing inefficient equipment, such as upgrading to LED lighting or more efficient boilers, falls into this category.
• Medium-to-High Cost Refurbishment: For significant improvements, clubs can consider building refurbishment for better insulation, ventilation, and air tightness. This might involve phasing improvements over time.

It’s worth noting that the diversity of facilities within sports clubs means energy use patterns can vary considerably. Detailed assessments are needed to consider all options.

The Role of an Energy Champion

To effectively implement energy efficiency measures, including exploring solar, it’s helpful to designate an energy champion. This is a person or team within the organisation who takes the lead.

Their responsibilities typically include:

• Reviewing the current situation and establishing benchmarks for measuring progress.
• Monitoring energy data and trends.
• Developing options for improvements, including investigating solutions like solar.
• Engaging with the club’s management team.
• Communicating with users, members, and management about energy use and initiatives.

Ideally, the energy champion should have a good understanding of the organisation’s ethos and some basic financial accounting skills.

Understanding Energy Measurement

When talking about energy, especially with solar, you’ll often hear certain terms. It’s helpful to understand what they mean:

• Kilowatt (kW): This is a universal measure of power. It tells you how much energy is being used at a specific moment or how much a system (like your solar panels) can generate at maximum capacity.
• Kilowatt hour (kWh): This is a measure of energy usage over time. One kWh is equivalent to using one kilowatt of power for one hour. Energy suppliers typically charge by the kWh used. Your solar system’s generation is also measured in kWh per year.
• Energy Profile: This refers to the patterns of energy usage over time. Understanding your club’s energy profile (when you use most energy) is helpful in identifying waste and designing a suitable solar system.
• Energy Rating: This is a labelling system (like the A-G system) used to evaluate the efficiency of products and buildings.

Finding Support and Qualified Installers

Deciding to go solar is a big step, and finding the right support is crucial.

• It’s absolutely vital to work with qualified professionals for the installation and any necessary maintenance.
• Look for companies that specialise in commercial solar installations, particularly those with experience working with sports venues or community buildings. Many offer bespoke system design tailored to your club’s specific needs.
• Choosing MCS-certified installers is highly recommended. This certification means they meet rigorous performance standards and are technically competent.
• Some installers can also assist with navigating financing options and applying for grants.
• Organisations like Sport England offer guidance and resources on reducing energy costs for sports facilities. Their platform, Buddle, provides free learning and support resources for clubs.

In Summary

Using solar panels is a smart and sustainable choice for sports clubs. As we’ve seen, it offers numerous benefits, including significant cost savings, reduced environmental impact, and an improved public image within the community.

While there’s an initial investment and requires careful consideration, understanding how the technology works, exploring the available financing options and grants, and working with qualified professionals can make the transition manageable. By taking the time to research your options and make informed decisions, your sports club can position itself for long-term financial and environmental sustainability.

Ready to find out more and see how much your club could save? Getting a free quote is a great first step.