Built on a total area of ​​40,000 m2, with an investment of 20 million Turkish Lira, the solar farm on the roof of Nef Stadium at the Ali Sami Yen Sports Complex (Türkiye) achieved a Guinness World Record for solar power capacity in the sports sector.

Under a performance-based business model, the stadium will generate its own electricity and become a model for energy efficiency. More than 10,000 solar panels are installed on the roof of the stadium, which can produce 4,650 MWh of electricity, equivalent to the consumption of about 2,000 households in a year. The energy from the rooftop solar panels provides 63-65% of the stadium's electricity, with the rest supplied to the city.

According to Ali Çelikkıran, the stadium’s director, the amount of energy saved by the panels is equivalent to the energy needs of 2,000 homes and cuts 3,250 tons of carbon a year. In natural terms, he estimates that this is equivalent to saving around 200,000 trees over 25 years.

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Rooftop solar power system on the stadium. Photo: RT

In fact, football clubs spend a lot of money on players but they invest little in energy systems. The stadium director has had to find ways to cut costs. “Today, whether you like it or not, a big company has to be environmentally responsible because energy is getting more and more expensive,” he said.

Türkiye is heavily dependent on foreign energy sources, with 45% of its gas coming from Russia. Rising energy prices, coupled with inflation, mean the club has saved money.

Burak Elmas, chairman of Galatasaray Sports Club, said the project is the world's largest in terms of solar power output installed on a sports stadium roof. It is also the first project in Türkiye to be implemented on a stadium roof with a performance-based business model.

The club leadership recognizes the importance of consuming energy from domestic and renewable resources. These efforts are aimed at reducing dependence on imported energy and are meaningful for future generations.

In nine years, Galatasaray's contract as a contractor will end and full control will be transferred to the club. From then on, the club will not have to pay anyone else for electricity, while continuing to make money from selling surplus electricity.

(According to DS)

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