London Stadium solar panels pass 1 million kWh in 14 months

London Stadium has generated more than 1 million kWh of electricity from the solar panels on its roof since the system went live in July 2025, according to the venue and its installer, Ameresco UK.

The stadium said the output is enough to match the annual electricity demand of more than 350 family homes and has cut carbon emissions by 177 tons. The figure covers the first 14 months of on-site generation at the former Olympic venue.

In June 2026 alone, the panels produced more than 140,000 kWh of on-site solar power, which the stadium said met 21 per cent of its electricity demand for that month.

The 6,500m² membrane system, delivered by Ameresco UK, carries 3,350 solar panels integrated directly into the stadium roof. The stadium describes it as one of the largest stadium solar installations in Europe.

When the panels were switched on on 17 July 2025, ahead of the Novuna London Athletics Meet, the stadium said the system would generate an estimated 850,000 kWh a year and offset more than 200 tonnes of carbon emissions. It said at the time that the project was the largest investment in solar panels at any UK stadium.

Ameresco was awarded the contract to design, install, operate and maintain the system. According to the stadium, the design uses ultra-lightweight thin-film photovoltaic panels to keep the load on the roof to a minimum and to comply with fire safety regulations. Populous advised on the design and Buro Happold on the structural and electrical engineering.

Over the 14 months of generation, the stadium said it welcomed more than two million spectators, for events including Josh Kerr’s world-record mile, the 20th anniversary of Soccer Aid and sold-out concerts by Take That and Metallica.

Sacha Giovannoni, sustainability manager at London Stadium, said: “This landmark of 1 million kWh of energy generated is a significant one as we aim to make London Stadium one of the UK’s most sustainable venues. It is extremely exciting to be one of the venues leading the way in sustainable venue management, achieving remarkable environmental milestones through innovative technology and strategic partnerships.”

Justin Jacober, managing director at Ameresco UK, said: “Reaching 1 million kWh of clean energy generation is a fantastic milestone for London Stadium and a powerful example of what can be achieved when major venues invest in practical, long-term solutions to reduce carbon emissions.

“Ameresco UK is proud to have delivered a system that is already making a measurable impact, helping the Stadium generate renewable energy on-site while continuing to host world-class sporting and entertainment events. This project shows how iconic venues can play an important role in the UK’s transition to a resilient net zero.”

The panels form part of a £4.35m climate action investment supported by the Mayor of London’s Green Finance Fund. The stadium said in July 2025 that it was the first project delivered under the £500m fund.

The solar membrane sits alongside other measures at the venue, including LED lighting, more efficient chillers and air-handling units, and power-saving devices in food and drink kiosks. The stadium said in July 2025 that those measures had reduced its energy use by 1.9 million kWh, and that the panels were projected to deliver a 10 to 15 per cent cut in its electricity costs.

It also forecast that its annual consumption from the national grid would fall from 12 million kWh, recorded in 2022, to 8.5 million kWh by 2026.

According to City Hall, the Green Finance Fund lends between £1m and £75m to public sector organisations, colleges and museums in London for projects in energy efficiency, clean transport and renewable energy. Its loans are priced at least 40 basis points below the Public Works Loan Board certainty rate, with terms of up to 25 years.

City Hall said £346.8m has been allocated to 15 projects so far. The fund is open for expressions of interest until 31 January 2027.