Freiburg’s new stadium, which has recently been put into use, was widely acclaimed for its eco-friendly energy solutions.
It’s easy being green: Freiburg’s pioneering new stadium could be ready in time for the start of the 2021/22 Bundesliga season. – © imago
Situated in the foothills of the Black Forest, Freiburg is Germany’s greenest and sunniest city. Its commitment to sustainable development is reflected in the home of Bundesliga club, SC Freiburg.
About 15,000 m2 of solar panels were fitted to the roofs of the stadium, capable of generating 2.3 million kWh per year. It powers the stadium and feeds any excess back into the local grid to meet the needs of about 1000 households.
The stadium not only has one of the world’s largest stadium solar roofs, its heating pipeline is also connected with a nearby manufacturing plant to heat the stadium by recycling energy generated in the production process.
To encourage fans to ride to the stadium, the new stadium will provide more than 3700 bicycle parking spaces, as well as charging devices for electric bicycles and cars. Thorsten Radensleben, CEO of Badenova AG, the energy provider to the stadium, hoped that Freiburg’s new stadium will become an example of a modern and eco-friendly stadium. Martin Horn, mayor of Freiburg, called the stadium the green city’s new business card.
Freiburg has an average of more than 1700 hours of sunshine annually, making it the sunniest city in Germany. The city has rich experience with solar energy. The new city hall, for example, is covered with about 800 solar panels on the roof, generating enough power for the heating, cooling, ventilation and lighting needs of the building. The Schlierberg community built in 2007 is the largest solar-powered community in Germany.
