Charleston, SC. The Charleston Battery has installed 60 solar panels at the club’s home, Blackbaud Stadium. The panels are located behind the goal at the north end of the stadium. There are 6 poles, each mounted with 10 solar panels generating 11kW of power through photovoltaic, the conversion of sunlight into electricity. The system will offset approximately 12 tons of carbon dioxide per year. The panels are part of a larger Charleston Battery & Blackbaud Stadium “Go Green” initiative.

“Our solar panel array is one of the largest private installations in the region and we are excited to be producing and using green, clean, energy here at Blackbaud Stadium,” said Andrew Bell, Director of Soccer & Stadium Operations. “The panels are visible to every fan in our stadium and will also be seen clearly during our nationally televised games this coming summer. It’s a terrific opportunity for us to reduce the stadium’s carbon footprint and utilize the team’s fan base to get the word out to a wider audience about global warming.”

The solar panels system was installed by Argand Energy Solutions, a leading designer and installer of solar electric (PV), wind energy, and solar hot water systems located in Columbia, SC. “The system has been designed to offset energy usage on-site during the day while the sun is out and to educate the public about sustainability and renewable energy,” said Erik Lensch, owner of Argand Energy Solutions. “There will be web-monitoring software to get real time data transmitted to the scoreboards and a kiosk with information about the solar generated energy system.”

The Charleston Battery is committed to reducing its carbon footprint as and has implemented a wide range of energy-saving and environmental initiatives at Blackbaud Stadium. The full array of changes is expected to be completed in time for the Charleston Battery’s “Go Green Night” on Friday, May 9 vs Miami FC Blues. The game is live On FOX Soccer Channel (8 PM).