By Isabella Kaminski

Solar photovoltaic (PV) company Q-Cells is to become a ‘Champion Partner’ of this year’s reigning German football champions Borussia Dortmund (BVB).

The aim of the partnership is to extend the reach of 'new energy' in the Ruhrgebiet region of Germany and to raise awareness of photovoltaics at an international level under the slogan 'SolarChampions'.

As part of the five-year partnership, a Q-Cells solar system will be installed on the roof and façades of Borussia Dortmund’s stadium, Signal Iduna Park, by October. With a total output of 920.64 kWp, the system sill be able to supply up to 860 MWh. It will be fitted with 8,768 Q.SMART modules, which use thin-film solar technology. A range of other measures are also being planned as part of the partnership.

Hans-Gerd Füchtenkort, Executive Board Member for Sales and Marketing at Q-Cells, says: “Our aim with this partnership is to provide proof that we are pressing consistently onwards on the path towards becoming one of the photovoltaics industry's leading solutions providers. Our cooperation with the reigning German football champion will help us and our partners to transport the benefits of the Q-Cells portfolio of products and services to end customers in a credible and emotionally powerful way.”

Carsten Cramer, Head of Sales and Marketing at Borussia, says: “We received more than 20 proposals for cooperation from solar energy companies. However, it was an easy decision; we voted unanimously for Q-Cells. They have a top-class, coherent concept that fits Borussia Dortmund and stood out from their competitors with their suggestion to install attractive black solar modules on our roof and façades.”