Erin Rager, Vice President of FC St. Pauli. Image Source: FCSP.

The solar revolution is now also visual: the first European stadium with coloured photovoltaic modules has arrived. In Hamburg, FC St. Pauli is taking the integration of renewable energy to a new level by installing 1,080 rainbow-coloured solar panels on the north stand roof of the Millerntor Stadium. Using SOLARCOLOR Morpho technology by Megasol Energie AG, the club has turned a 316.44 kWp solar system into an architectural statement of inclusion, sustainability, and design.

Covering 1,800 square metres, the installation is expected to generate around 285,000 kWh per year, equivalent to the annual electricity consumption of 80 two-person households. In conversation with Strategic Energy Europe, Esin Rager, Vice President of FC St. Pauli, explains: “The installation largely covers the Millerntor Stadium’s base load during the summer months.”                                                                 

The visual impact was just as important as the energy output. “The rainbow-shaped layout was a deliberate design choice aimed at reflecting Lichtblick and FC St. Pauli’s inclusive values, a statement of tolerance and visual identity,” adds Rager, also speaking with Strategic Energy Europe.

From the manufacturer’s side, Martina Hickethier, Head of Marketing at Megasol Energie AG, highlights the creative process: “We worked with the club and the architects to develop a modular design concept that symbolises the colours of the rainbow – a clear statement for diversity and social commitment,” she tells Strategic Energy Europe.

Balancing aesthetics with performance

Choosing coloured modules came with a technical compromise. “The use of coloured solar modules resulted in an average efficiency loss of approximately 5–13%, depending on the colour, compared to standard modules. This trade-off was consciously accepted to achieve the desired symbolic effect,” states Rager.

The colouring is achieved through SOLARCOLOR Morpho, a coating based on optical interference principles. “This special coating makes colour visible without the use of conventional pigments,” she explains, ensuring high transmission of light while providing a uniform, durable finish.

According to Rager, the panels also complement the stadium architecture: “The installation integrates well with the architecture and serves as a visual landmark for sustainability and diversity.”

Grid connection and long-term strategy

The system is connected to the public power grid and, although it does not include batteries at this stage, Rager confirms: “The project has been designed with the flexibility to incorporate storage solutions in the future should the operational needs or strategic priorities evolve.”

While the summer base load will be mostly self-supplied, winter and match days will still require electricity from the grid. Still, the installation is part of a broader environmental commitment. “Energy autonomy targets are embedded in FC St. Pauli’s broader sustainability roadmap, as outlined in the club’s transformation plan,” Rager affirms.

The club’s 2024 transformation plan includes clear decarbonisation goals: “The plan includes clear goals such as reducing location-based Scope 1 and 2 emissions by at least 50% by the 2030/31 season compared to 2023/24 levels,” says Rager. The club is also committed to achieving the 1.5°C climate target by 2040, combining emission reductions with biodiversity and ecosystem protection initiatives.

Replicability and impact beyond energy

The initiative showcases how renewable technology can transcend efficiency and become part of cultural identity. According to Hickethier, “The solution is highly replicable. The technologies used – both in terms of colour and module geometry – are fully scalable.”

She adds that Megasol is already deploying similar concepts in new landmark projects. “We are currently working on several outstanding projects, including Europe’s largest PV façade project in the centre of Milan,” she shares. In Switzerland, Megasol is supporting PV-integrated roof renovations on listed buildings, while new partnerships are under development in Southern Europe and Scandinavia.

“We believe that the clear link between solar energy and a social statement, like the one FC St. Pauli has made, will really change how people see photovoltaics – from just a technical product to part of urban and cultural design,” Hickethier asserts.

A cooperative club, a political stadium

The Millerntor Stadium, with a capacity of almost 30,000, is one of the few in Europe owned by its supporters through a cooperative structure. Its renovation prioritised community identity as much as modernisation. The solar roof is the latest milestone in FC St. Pauli’s progressive legacy, which includes clear positions on anti-racism, LGBTQI+ rights, and sustainability.

As Rager puts it: “This installation is a key part of FC St. Pauli’s comprehensive environmental strategy, and it shows that renewable technology can also be a visual and cultural message.”