Adrian PragnellLondon Stadium is set to become one of the world’s greenest sports and concert venues as work begins on the installation of 6,500 sqm of solar membrane panels across the stadium’s roof.
The installation is scheduled to be completed by next summer, with more than 850,000-kWh of electricity to be generated per year, enough solar energy to power all the stadium concerts and major events annually.
With funding from the Mayor of London’s Green Finance Fund, the £4.35m project will enable the stadium to save more that 200 tonnes of carbon emissions a year, equivalent to 100 flights from London to New York.
The project is part of a range of measures designed to reduce energy costs and carbon emissions at London Stadium, including LED lighting, and air handling improvements.
Ameresco, which specialises in cleantech and renewable energy infrastructure, won the contract to install, operate and maintain the solar membrane panels.
Mete Coban, who was appointed deputy mayor of London for Environment and Energy in July, said, “These solar panels are a game changer for the London Stadium, turning it into one of the world’s greenest sports and concert venues and hugely reducing its energy and running costs.”