Rovers score with renewable energy

Estdio-fotovoltaica

Doncaster Rovers have become the first professional football club in the country to install solar PV on their stadium allowing them to generate their own electricity from the sun’s rays.

The Championship club is leading the way by installing 200, UK manufactured, solar PV panels at the Keepmoat Stadium which will reduce both their electricity bills and carbon footprint.

Gavin Baldwin, Rovers chief executive, said: “We have a number of green initiatives at the stadium in order to reduce our carbon footprint and we are delighted to be moving into the renewable energy market.

“The solar panels are not only beneficial to the environment, they will help to reduce our energy bills, which is fantastic.

“To be the first football league club in the country to install solar panels is a fantastic accolade for Rovers and indicates how innovative the club is and once again shows we are leading the way.”

Doncaster based Renewable Energy Specialists Eclipse Solar are currently installing the 50KW Romag system which is projected to generate around 42,920 units in its first year, saving the club approximately £3,000 on its energy bill and earning approximately £6,400 via the Government backed feed in tariff each year.

Brad Hunt, Managing Director at Eclipse Solar said: “Solar PV represents a huge opportunity for football clubs such as Doncaster Rovers, both in terms of reducing their environmental impact and financially. In this instance the long term return on investment is expected to be almost 400% over the next 20 years.”

The system comprises of 200 PV panels manufactured in the UK by North East glass specialists Romag.

Phil Murray, Managing Director at Romag, said “Romag have been manufacturing PV panels here in the UK for many years now and are proud to have supplied panels for such a prestigious project.

“The benefits of installing PV are clear to see and it’s great that Doncaster Rovers chose a reliable, UK quality branded panel such as ours for their stadium. We are currently in talks with several sporting venues and hope to help them achieve similar benefits in the near future.”