Football clubs add storage to solar to avoid extra time on the grid

German football giant Borussia Dortmund (BVB) is adding a 3.7 MWh battery energy storage system to its 5 MW photovoltaic system on the BVB stadium roof.

The Bundesliga football club had RWE onside to complete the installation of 11,132 solar modules as part of a “sustainability partnership” within which the system was developed and implemented. (At major solar conferences, BVB branding can be seen on RWE stands and BVB and RWE entered into their partnership in the summer of 2024. The partnership has a term of six years.)

The club expected the solar power generated and used directly to meet the stadium’s needs will cover approximately half of its electricity demand, and make use of battery storage of 3.7 MWh, which remains under construction until early 2026. Both the rooftop photovoltaic system and the battery storage unit are some 10-15% larger than originally planned, and an upgrade on the original PV system installed in 2011 of some 900 kW.

Meanwhile in Britain, League One side and greater Manchester-based Avro FC is searching for a contractor to supply and install a solar-plus-battery storage system.

Available tender details state the selected contractor will be required to provide a complete turnkey solution, including design, engineering, and installation, comprising a 80 kW solar array and 40 kW battery storage system. The system will be installed at Whitebank Stadium (currently also known as the Vestacare Stadium for sponsorship purposes) located in the town of Oldham, which is home to the football club. The deadline to submit bids is set as November 30.

[With pv magazine Germany and pv magazine Global]