Galatasaray, Enerjisa to install world’s largest solar power plant on stadium

Turkey’s energy company Enerjisa Enerji and Galatasaray Sports Club have signed an agreement to enable Ali Sami Yen Sports Complex Türk Telekom Arena Stadium to generate its own energy with the solar panels installed on its roof.

Galatasaray and Enerjisa have agreed to install a 4.1 MW solar photovoltaic plant and the investment is estimated at EUR 2.3 million.

Over 10,000 solar panels will be built on 40,000 square meters, making it the largest solar power plant on any stadium, according to Enerjisa.

The title is currently held by the Brazilian National Stadium, formerly known as the Garrincha Stadium, with an installed capacity of 2.5 MW.

Enrjisa Enerji will cover the investment costs

The solar power plant will be built in line with the energy performance model. The investment will be financed by Enerjisa Enerji, which will also provide maintenance for 10 years while Galatasaray will pay for the electricity that is generated throughout the period.

Estimated annual production is 4.6 MWh, equivalent to the annual consumption of 2,000 households.

The solar PV plant will reduce about 3,250 tons of CO2 emissions per year and save 200,000 trees throughout its 25-year lifetime.

The club will take over the PV facility after 10 years

Mustafa Cengiz, Chairman of Galatasaray, said the PV system would be handed over to the club after 10 years.

There are few examples of such projects in the world and nobody has ever suggested anything like it to the club before, he said.

Murat Pınar, CEO of Enerjisa Enerji, said the new energy world is founded on sustainability and technology.

That is why Enerjisa started offering customer solutions that are focused on technology and sustainability under the umbrella of the Energy of My Business brand, he said.