Sun Shines on Go Media Stadium’s Solar Panel Installation
Go Media Stadium, New Zealand's best and busiest large venue, is taking a major step toward becoming its greenest stadium with the installation of over 1,700 solar panels.
Mounted on the roofs of the East and West stands, the panels mark a significant milestone in the venue’s commitment to reducing its carbon footprint and embracing renewable energy. It is the first stadium project of its kind in Aotearoa.
Reducing emissions and lowering costs
Once operational, the solar arrays are expected to generate around 800 MWh of clean energy annually, which is approximately 60% of the stadium’s total energy usage. This initiative will not only cut carbon emissions by 36 tonnes per year but also significantly lower operational spending energy, reducing reliance on ratepayer funding. The investment is projected to pay for itself within six to eight years.
Acting Director of Auckland Stadiums, Scott Couch, is proud of this landmark moment, “We are working towards making Go Media Stadium the most sustainable large venue in New Zealand, and our new solar panels are an exciting step in that journey. This installation will deliver clean, self-generated renewable energy to power our events and daily activities. We expect to save more than $100,000 annually on energy costs, including the revenue generated from exporting excess energy back to the grid. We want to deliver sustainable, low-carbon events at our venues, and this project will help drive that ambition.”
Setting the standard for major venues
The installation at Go Media Stadium will set a new benchmark for live entertainment venues in Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland.
Tātaki Auckland Unlimited’s Head of Climate Innovation and Sustainability, Dr. Parin Rafiei-Thompson, highlighted the broader significance of the initiative: “This initiative is an excellent step in helping a legacy venue switch to renewable energy sources. The solar array installation will help lower Go Media Stadium’s carbon emissions by 36 tonnes a year once fully operational. This project, along with the stadium’s move away from gas energy to state-of-the-art heat pumps, is a significant milestone in our drive to reduce carbon emissions across all of our venues.”
Tātaki Auckland Unlimited Chief Executive Nick Hill reinforced the organisation's commitment to sustainability, adding, “This is testament to our commitment to creating a sustainable future for Auckland. By adding solar to one of our busiest and most iconic venues it ensures it is fit for purpose environmentally and suits the growing expectations of Aucklanders. This renewable energy project helps to contribute to Auckland Council’s wider goal to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 50 per cent by 2030.”
Precision delivery
Solar specialists Endless Energy were appointed to manage the installation. Martin Mans, Business Development Manager at Endless Energy, shared his enthusiasm: “It’s a real thrill to see one of New Zealand's most iconic sporting venues embracing solar technology to help lower energy emissions. This installation will help reduce carbon emissions at Go Media Stadium by 36 tonnes each year, which is an incredible environmental impact. The installation of solar helps make this venue a greener asset for Auckland, and we are proud to be a part of it.”
Amidst the non-stop delivery of Go Media Stadium’s calendar, and with the stands still ringing from Auckland FC’s outstanding win over Macarthur FC (Saturday 1 February), the panels were delivered via helicopter onto the stadium roof on a Sunday morning.
As the sun rose over the stadium, a helicopter transported and precisely placed the solar panels onto the stadium’s roof - beginning with the West Stand before moving onto the East. This method minimised operational disruption but also reduced fuel consumption compared to traditional crane installations. Another helicopter delivery is scheduled for March to complete the installation.
The panels are expected to be fully operational my mid-2025.
Green future for Go Media Stadium
The solar panels are the latest in a series of sustainability-focused infrastructure improvements at Go Media Stadium. Earlier this year, state-of-the-art electric heat pumps replaced legacy gas boilers for water heating. The installation of the heat pumps is estimated to contribute to over 100 tonnes of emissions reductions, which is equivalent to 5,000 trees growing for a year.
Other infrastructure initatives are well underway. New bicycle parking locations are being installed at all major gates to encourage sustainable travel, while even the uniform of Auckland Stadium's staff is made from recycled plastic bottles.
As Go Media Stadium continues to innovate and lead in sustainability, there is a real emphasis on delivering sustainable events for patrons and the whole of Auckland.
2024's remarkable sellout Warriors season smashed previous records for recycled waste. Auckland Stadiums successfully diverted more than 80% of waste from landfill through the course of the season, equating to nearly 40,000kgs of waste that has been directed to either recycling or compost.
