FEATURE
After – the fully installed 90kW system .
POWER PLAY
WORDS : PAUL FRASER
Solar systems can help football clubs save energy and money
M ore and more solar panels are seen on everyday journeys , and yet it seems that football and sports clubs remain reluctant to take such a step to lower their carbon footprint .
But Teesside ’ s critical infrastructure specialist Durata UK is looking to change that – and has provided South Shields Football Club with something to be extremely proud of .
For while the CEFO Group Stand seats more than 900 fans at the 1st Cloud Arena and features executive boxes , a large new bar area , a new club shop , a boardroom and other facilities , it also now saves energy and money .
Durata , along with one of its partners , have mounted a 90kW photovoltaics ( PV ) system on the roof of the south stand , consisting of 228 solar panels that will secure a return on investment within three and a half years . Given the rapidly rising cost of energy prices , that estimated timeframe is only likely to reduce .
Durata ’ s technical director Adrian Cooke said : “ It ’ s an exciting concept and will produce sufficient energy to meet South Shields Football Club ’ s daily requirements on the site .
“ The system will also produce some export energy , which can be exported to the National Grid . Or , for future proofing , they could put it into battery storage modules that could then feed electric vehicle charging points or the like – or fulfil the overnight demand of the football club when the solar panels are not generating .”
Emblem - South Shields FC ’ s club badge .
Essentially , any business or sports club with roof space could look into purchasing such a system . There is clearly a requirement for PV these days , which effectively means the conversion of light into electricity using semiconducting materials . The financial return on such a system is excellent , and will help South Shields to think about becoming green to green .
Adrian said : “ Essentially a lot of people are using electric-powered vehicles nowadays and in some parts of the country people are charging those vehicles from green energy sources and in other areas they are not . Systems like the one at South Shields can lead to that . At Durata we are aspiring to help provide green-to-green energy .”
Durata ’ s relationship with South Shields ’ owner and chairman Geoff Thompson developed through its business development manager Jason Preston . Over the years , the Mariners have achieved great things under Geoff , progressing from the Northern League and up to the Northern Premier League .
He has attracted Sunderland legend Kevin Phillips to be the team manager and South Shields ’ ambitions don ’ t stop there because they want to reach the Football League .
And with forward-thinking ideas , the club - sandwiched between Newcastle United and
108 | Tees Business