Jena, 29.04.2026 – The ad hoc arena in the Ernst-Abbe-Sportfeld is taking a massive step towards sustainability. Effective immediately, a huge photovoltaic system provides Jena’s largest stadium with renewable energy.
- What: Commissioning of a large-scale photovoltaic system
- Where: ad hoc arena, Ernst-Abbe-Sportfeld, Jena
- Scale: Area corresponds to approx. one football field
- Output: around 1.3 Megawatt Peak (MWp)
- Annual yield: approx. 1.25 million kilowatt hours (kWh)
Green Electricity for Stadium Operations
The dimensions of the new solar power plant are impressive: To produce the enormous amounts of energy, the system occupies an area on the stadium’s roof structures that roughly corresponds to the dimensions of the pitch below. With a peak output of around 1.3 Megawatt Peak, the project represents a milestone for the energy supply of urban sports facilities in the region.
In the future, the system will be able to produce around 1.25 million kilowatt hours of electricity from solar energy annually. This amount contributes significantly to making the energy-intensive operation of the arena – from the floodlight system to the undersoil heating and building infrastructure – considerably more climate-friendly.
Background: Modernization in the Ernst-Abbe-Sportfeld
The tradition-steeped Ernst-Abbe-Sportfeld, idyllically located on the Saale and the sporting home of FC Carl Zeiss Jena, has undergone a complete structural transformation in recent years. The conversion from a classic athletics stadium into a modern, pure football arena required a forward-looking energy concept. The now-activated photovoltaic system is a central component of this concept. Such large-scale systems have become a decisive factor in modern stadium construction, not only to significantly reduce CO2 emissions but also to cushion the steadily rising energy costs for major events in the long term.
Source:
Renewable Energy – Football field-sized photovoltaic system supplies ad hoc arena
Transparency Note: This article was created automatically, editorially reviewed, and expanded with AI support.