Global Forum for Sports and Environment
Stade de Suisse Stadium, Bern
The roof is expected to produce a maximum of 700,000-kilowatt hours of energy a year - enough for 200 households, and annual power output could be boosted by almost 50 per cent by adding more panels. The main customer for the solar power generated is the stadium itself. Other customers can also take advantage of what the operators say is the cheapest unsubsidized solar energy in Switzerland. “It is a pioneering project, and we hope to be able to give solar energy a boost,” said Sebastian Vogler, a spokesman of BKW FMB Energy, which is behind the project. The company is Switzerland’s leading producer of solar energy, and operates the country’s biggest solar power station in the northwestern Jura Mountains. BKW FMB Energy plans to use it as a showcase for the economic, technical and environmental benefits of solar energy. An estimated 12-15,000 people a day are expected to visit the stadium, its restaurants, shops and conference rooms. The installation is being completed in two stages. During the first phase, around 8,000 square meters of solar panels will produce a maximum of 850 kilo-watts. The second stage will see a further 4,000square meters of panels added, generating an additional 450 kilo-watts. The stadium has been awarded the European Solar Prize 2005 at a ceremony in Berlin on December 7, 2005. Since 1994 Eurosolar has been awarding the European Solar Prizes to municipalities, companies, individuals using renewable energies, and to organizations that have rendered outstanding service to the cause of renewable energy. Source: Swiss Info http://www.swissinfo.org/ LINK : |
Inaugurated in July 2005, Bern's new Stade de Suisse houses the biggest solar power installation ever incorporated into the roof of a football stadium, earning it environmental awards from the European Association for Renewable Energy (Eurosolar), and the Swiss solar prize.