European football clubs are increasingly investing in renewable energy to power their stadiums and reduce reliance on the grid. German giant Borussia Dortmund is upgrading its facility with a large-scale 3.7 MWh battery to store energy from its 5 MW rooftop solar panel array. This project aims to cover about half the stadium’s power needs. In a similar, smaller-scale move, the UK-based Avro FC is also seeking a contractor to equip its stadium with a solar and battery storage system, highlighting a growing trend across the sport for greater energy independence and sustainability.
In Germany, Bundesliga club Borussia Dortmund is taking a major step toward energy self-sufficiency by integrating a 3.7 MWh battery energy storage system at its home stadium. The new battery will work in conjunction with an extensive 5 MW photovoltaic system, which consists of 11,132 solar modules installed on the stadium’s roof. This initiative is part of a six-year “sustainability partnership” with the energy company RWE, which managed the development and implementation of the solar installation.
The club projects that the combination of direct solar power usage and battery storage will satisfy approximately half of the stadium’s total electricity demand. While the solar array is operational, the battery system remains under construction with a completion date set for early 2026. The final specifications for both the photovoltaic system and the battery are roughly 10-15% larger than initial plans, representing a significant upgrade from a much smaller 900 kW solar system first installed in 2011.
This movement towards green energy is also visible in British football. The Greater Manchester-based Avro FC is currently searching for a contractor to supply and install a comprehensive solar-plus-battery storage system. The club has put out a tender for a turnkey solution that includes the design, engineering, and installation of an 80 kW solar array and a 40 kW battery storage unit. The system is planned for the club’s Whitebank Stadium in Oldham, with a bid submission deadline of November 30.