Reds go green with pioneering solar-energy project for stadium

Work will start at Barnsley’s Oakwell stadium next month on installing photovoltaic panels capable of providing energy for about 140 homes.

Electricity generated by the solar panels will be used within the football ground, with any excess being fed back into the National Grid.

It is hoped that the panels will cut Barnsley FC’s electricity bills in half, saving the Championship club tens of thousands of pounds every year.

General manager Don Rowing said: “With energy costs spiralling and likely to continue that way it makes business sense to use the large amount of roof surface available to us to save the club money and also to reduce our carbon footprint.

“The icing on the cake is that the work is being done by a Barnsley company and that will help the local economy.

“This just shows what a green place Barnsley is and, even though we are the Reds, we can go green.”

The £1m project to fit the solar panels is being carried out by Solar Europa Limited, a firm based in Dodworth, Barnsley, and construction should take about a month.

Spokesman David Hawkins from Solar Europa said: “I just hope that by doing this we can inspire other football clubs and other businesses to take advantage of the roofs they have.

“It could be a warehouse or office block roof – it doesn’t matter – it all helps cut bills and cut carbon dioxide emissions.”