There are an amazing number of stadiums in the UK, some of which are shared between two or more sports but the one thing that is common to each and every one of them is the amount of energy it takes to run those lights for night games. It probably costs more to light up just one evening sporting event than it does to power the average household for an entire month – if not more!
Solar Panels for Stadiums
For this reason alone more and more stadiums are turning to solar power to brighten those night time events. Not only can a solar installation provide much of the electricity it takes to power those high voltage lights but the Feed in Tariff (FIT) scheme can also help to raise extra money to pay towards the cost of installing solar panels. When you set up a free, no obligation onsite consultation with a New Energy Futures (NEF) installer, make sure to ask about which grants are available to help offset the initial costs.
Actually, there is something else you should be considering when it comes to solar electricity. There may be a way to store extra power throughout the week, on days when there will be no sporting events and the lights will not need to be powered on. An NEF installer will be able to explain how best to store electricity generated so that it can be called upon during those events.
The way solar PV panels work is by capturing energy from the sun and then converting that to direct current (DC). From there, DC is fed to an inverter that converts it to alternating current (AC) which is then fed through a metre to measure exactly how much is generated and used as well as any excess that is fed back into the grid. Along the line there are also storage cells (batteries) that can be used when the energy from the sun is not available to be converted into power. This is one of the main aspects to talk to New Energy Futures about, and that is how large and how many storage cells would be needed to get maximum output for those evening events.
However, once those storage cells are ‘full’ what can be done with the electricity that is still being generated? This is the amazing aspect of the Feed in Tariff. The metre runs in the opposite direction in order to keep a running total of what is being exported into the national grid. This electricity is then paid for by your energy supplier which will further offset the cost of a solar installation, but you need to be aware of the fact that your equipment and installer must be accredited by the Microgeneration Certification Scheme (MCS) to qualify for the FIT.
New Energy Futures at Solar Install is fully accredited by MCS and will only install certified MCS products. Whether you have a portion of the stadium or clubhouse that is roofed or will need a standalone solar installation, we have the expertise and the products to get the job done right. For a free onsite no obligation consultation call us today on 0844 744 1407.
