First Brazil 2014 World Cup solar-powered stadium opens

CleanTechnica

As preparations for the 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil hit the final stretch, the first of many solar-powered stadiums being used for next year’s tournament was recently put in the spotlight with an inauguration event.

PV Tech noted the Estádio Governador Magalhães Pinto (otherwise known as the Mineirão) in Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil recently held the opening of their new rooftop solar array.

Attendees for the ribbon cutting ceremony included: Minas Gerais state Governor Antonio Anastasia, Hans-Jürgen Beerfeltz, the state secretary of Germany’s Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ), and Djalmo Bastos de Morais, president of Brazilian utility firm CEMIG.

Total investment for the project was $16.1 million. German bank KfW and CEMIG funded the new solar power plant.

Estadio Mineirao in Belo Horizonte will host three games for the 2013 FIFA Confederations Cup: June 17th with a Group B game between Tahiti and Nigeria; A June 22nd Group A game between Japan against Mexico, and the first semi-final on June 26th. The stadium is also home to two-time Brazilian champions Cruzeiro.

It’s not the only stadium getting a solar makeover ahead of next year’s big event. Last year, Yingli Solar, Light ESCO, and Rio de Janeiro state began working on a 1,500 solar panel rooftop project for the legendary Maracana stadium in Rio de Janeiro.  Recife’s Pernambuco Stadium will have solar heating for kitchens, toilets and changing rooms.

Meanwhile, Brasilla’s Mané Garrincha stadium, with a 2.5 MWp solar rooftop plant, is expected to power nearly half of the stadium with solar energy.

Both the 2013 FIFA Confederations Cup and next year’s World Cup will showcase not only Brazil, as an emerging power on the global stage, but also give solar power an opportunity to showcase its further potential as a global sustainable energy source.