Thanks to the installation of a giant solar power plant, the Istanbul stadium has made it into the Guinness Book of Records. The nearly 10,500 solar panels covering the roof of the Galatasaray venue generate an impressive 4.3 megawatts of power.

There is no other stadium in the world with a larger solar power plant on its roof than Nef Stadyumu. But it's not just records that are at issue here. Measurable benefits will come into play. After 25 years, this spectacular installation will generate over TRY 1 billion for Galatasaray and save 4.5 million kilowatts per year.

© Enerjisa Enerji

This will benefit not only the budget of "Galata", but also the environment. The facility, which will generate electricity from the sun, will prevent the emission of around 3250 tonnes of CO₂ per year. Thus, it will contribute to the protection of nature by preventing the release of greenhouse gases into the atmosphere, which 200,000 trees would have to neutralize for 25 years.

The panels installed on the roof of the facility will generate annually as much electricity (4,650 MWh) as is consumed by an average of 2,000 households in 12 months. It is worth mentioning that the power of 4,3 MW leaves far behind the previous record holder, the Brazilian Arena BRB, whose solar installation generates 2,5 MW per year.

© Murat Kaban

Enerjisa Enerji company was responsible for the investment. The enterprise constructed the power plant at a cost of TRY 20 million and in return will operate it for 10 years, covering the costs of repairs and maintenance. The Istanbul-based club will pay the electricity bills for this period. It will later replace Enerjis Enerji as operator for another 15 years.

Nef Stadyumu was built in 2011 and is the second largest football venue in Turkey (52,280 seats). It was designed by the German studio "asp".