Q-Cells has signed a five-year sponsorship deal to become a “Champion Partner” of German football giants Borussia Dortmund. As part of the agreement, the recently-crowned Bundesliga champions have also agreed to install a 920kW solar array on the roof of their Westfalenstadion stadium.
The array, comprised of 8,768 Q.Smart modules, will generate 860,000kWh of electricity a year and has a pencilled-in completion date of early October. In addition to the Westfalenstadion solar system, Borussia Dortmund will raise awareness about solar and Q-Cells through advertisements during home games and a number of other promotional activities involving the team.
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“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,” said Hans-Gerd Füchtenkort, Q-Cells’ executive board member for sales and marketing. “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.”
“We have been watching developments in the field of solar energy for a long time and have collected information on the issue,” Carsten Cramer, head of sales and marketing at Borussia Dortmund, added. “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 facades.
“Q-Cells’ position as an international company with a German background was another benefit. We are looking forward to working with Q-Cells and are confident that this long-term partnership will be a success for both parties. I think now is a good time to start this cooperation.”
Q-Cells will not be the only solar company gaining exposure courtesy of the Bundesliga this year, however; in January, Yingli Green signed a three-year sponsorship agreement with four-time European Cup winners Bayern Munich.
