News article
BVB aims for the largest photovoltaic installation on a stadium roof in Germany
German football club Borussia Dortmund has brought in nearby Essen-headquartered energy company RWE to help develop and implement a sustainable energy system for the 81,365-capacity Signal Iduna Park.
Part of the six-year deal will see the renewal and expansion of the photovoltaic (PV) system on the stadium roof. More than 9,500 new solar panels will generate a peak capacity of more than 4.2 megawatts, with the Bundesliga club claiming this will be the largest PV system on a stadium roof in Germany.
BVB will further benefit from a battery storage of 3.4 megawatt hours, and the green electrically generated annually on the roof will cover more than all BVB homes – including the Bundesliga, DFB Cup and the UEFA Champions League. Excess electricity generated is then fed into the power grid.
“We are very pleased to welcome RWE as a new partner at our side. This cooperation is an important step for us to further advance our sustainable development with future-oriented projects,” said Hans-Joachim Watzke, BVB’s Chairman of the Board of Management.
“Together we want to make our contribution to climate protection and promote innovative energy solutions. Borussia Dortmund and RWE share the same vision of a responsible and sustainable future.”
"This cooperation is an important step for us to further advance our sustainable development with future-oriented projects."
In April, RWE and BVB saw the installation of more than 200 solar modules on the roof of the BVB-FanWelt sports memorabilia shop next to the stadium.
Further energy projects will be developed by BVB and RWE over the course of the partnership.
“We are very much looking forward to working with BVB, a club here from the region and with international appeal,” added Markus Krebber, CEO of RWE.
“Together we want to make the largest German football stadium climate-friendly by expanding the solar energy on the roof and using it efficiently. BVB and RWE – two great teams that complement each other perfectly in their sustainability goals.”