BEIJING, April 2, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — The PV module manufacturer JA SOLAR and the renowned football club Borussia Dortmund are joining forces for the installation of a new photovoltaic system on the roof of SIGNAL IDUNA PARK-creating the world’s largest PV system on a stadium roof. The stadium, which hosts the highest average number of spectators per match in European football, now also becomes a flagship of sustainable innovation.

In selecting new partners, JA SOLAR places a strong emphasis on integrity, respect, and the pursuit of sustainable solutions. These values are central to its collaboration with Borussia Dortmund. With this new installation in Dortmund, JA SOLAR delivers exceptional product quality for the purpose of decarbonization.

Aligned with the sustainability goals and long-term vision of both Borussia Dortmund and JA SOLAR, this project will generate reliable green electricity for the next 30 years, uniting two powerful partners with a shared commitment. It also represents JA SOLAR’s long-term dedication to the European PV market.

The world-famous football temple with its legendary “Yellow Wall.” The highly efficient Full-Black modules from JA SOLAR. This unique combination brings unparalleled black-and-yellow energy-on the pitch, in the stands, and now on the roof-setting a new standard for the energy transition.

JA SOLAR’s sleek black modules, perfectly matching Borussia Dortmund’s iconic colours, are already widely used on private homes for their aesthetic appeal. The Borussia Dortmund project also demonstrates that these modules-and others from JA SOLAR’s extensive portfolio-are equally suitable for commercial rooftops. All modules used in this project meet the JA Solar ITS Supply Chain Standard.

More than 11,000 modules will be installed on the stadium roof. In total, the system will generate over 4 GWh annually for Borussia Dortmund’s own consumption. This serves as an inspiring example for other organizations. The rooftop system is expected to reduce the club’s CO₂ emissions by approximately 1,800 tons per year, while significantly improving the stadium’s energy security and resilience. For perspective: this solar energy could power the floodlights for 1,000 matches per year.

Installation is scheduled to begin in summer 2025, with completion targeted by the end of that same summer.

Carsten Cramer, Managing Director of Borussia Dortmund GmbH & Co. KGaA: “We are very pleased about the partnership with JA SOLAR, which will play a key role in the planned renovation of the photovoltaic system on the roof of SIGNAL IDUNA PARK. This collaboration underlines our commitment to sustainability and innovative technologies. With JA SOLAR’s modules, which will power the largest photovoltaic system on any stadium roof, we are setting the course for a more environmentally friendly future.”

Henning Schulze, Vice President JA SOLAR: “We believe that Borussia Dortmund and JA SOLAR share many common values, and we are really proud that our modules are to be used for this project at this iconic stadium. In times of rapid political change and market disruption, our participation in this project is a clear statement from JA SOLAR that we are here to stay.”

JA looks forward to welcoming customers from all over the world together with representatives of Borussia Dortmund at Intersolar Europe in Munich from 7-9 May at stand A2.280. For inquiries in advance, please contact us at info@jasolar.com.

About JA SOLAR

Grow towards the sun, stride forward to our goal! Since 2005, we have been pursuing our mission to make solar energy accessible to as many people as possible. As one of the market leaders, we want to be a role model with sustainable and social corporate development. Customer-centricity, the well-being of our employees and increasing value for our owners are all among our core values. Working closely with our global partners, we are creating a mutually beneficial industrial ecosystem and driving progress in energy and environmental solutions. More information at  https://www.jasolar.com/.

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SOURCE JA Solar Technology Co., Ltd.

Like a ‘well-oiled machine:’ Partnership delivers third agrivoltaics project, supporting dual use of land for solar energy generation and future sheep grazing in north island location

AUCKLAND, New Zealand, April 3, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Trinasolar, a global smart photovoltaic (PV) and energy storage solutions provider, has partnered with Lodestone Energy to bring Te Herenga o Te Rā, one of New Zealand’s latest and largest agrivoltaics farm, into operation this year. Situated along the border of the Waiotahe River in the Ōpōtiki District, the converted dairy farm will deliver clean renewable energy to the region while preserving the land’s agricultural value for sheep grazing under the modules.

Construction of the 71,000+ module utility-scale solar farm began in December 2023 and achieved first generation in December 2024, with the project’s construction progressing faster than anticipated. This was due, in part, to the ongoing partnership between module supplier, Trinasolar and Lodestone. As the third agrivoltaics project developed together, ongoing collaboration enabled the refinement of construction processes. Incremental improvements in small and repetitive installation tasks translated to large efficiencies at scale—significantly accelerating the construction schedule. Once fully operational, the 42MWp farm will generate 69 GWh of clean energy annually, enough to power nearly 10,000 homes, and is the first solar project in New Zealand to feed directly into the grid.

Agrivoltaics: Energy and Agriculture Side-by-Side

Like Lodestone’s other farms, Te Herenga o Te Rā, plans to integrate sheep grazing beneath elevated solar modules, allowing livestock and renewable energy production to coexist. The elevated panelling design provides shade for sheep during warmer months, reducing heat stress, while their natural grazing controls grass growth under the modules—reducing maintenance costs, herbicide use, and machinery emissions.

Connor Dent, grazing lessee and pastoralist of Lodestone’s first agrivoltaics project, Kohirā, has found the experience overwhelmingly positive,

“As a civil engineer, I was directly involved in constructing Lodestone’s first solar farm, Kohirā, which gave me a unique perspective on the project from the ground up. Through this work, I became aware of the opportunity to trial grazing under the panels and was keen to take it on,” he said.

“Since then, I’ve seen firsthand the benefits of agrivoltaics for both the land and livestock. The panels provide shelter, which has improved lamb survival rates, and we’ve noticed better grass retention through dry periods. There are some challenges, like managing fertiliser application and working the dogs when the panels are tilted, but overall, it’s been a really positive experience. Seeing the project through from construction, to now farming on the land has been incredibly rewarding.”

Strong Partnerships Driving Success

This project builds on the longstanding partnership between Lodestone Energy and Trinasolar, which has now seen nearly 200,000 Trinasolar modules deployed across Lodestone’s three operational solar farms in Kaitaia, Edgecumbe and the latest in Waitaohe.

Edison Zhou, Head of Trinasolar Australia & New Zealand, commented:

“We are proud to continue our strong partnership with Lodestone, delivering high-performance solar solutions for New Zealand’s growing renewable energy sector. Te Herenga o Te Rā is a standout example of how solar and agriculture can work together seamlessly, and we look forward to supporting more innovative projects in this space.

Globally, interest in agrivoltaics is accelerating, and Lodestone is at the forefront of delivering large-scale, dual-use projects. Their work is setting a benchmark for agrivoltaics initiatives worldwide, and we’re excited to be part of their journey.”

Gary Holden, Managing Director, Lodestone Energy, recognises the value of strong partners, “Ultimately, Trinasolar’s Vertex N modules were the natural choice, offering superior efficiency and power. When delivering projects at scale, this efficiency becomes even more critical, ensuring we maximise energy output while maintaining reliability. The n-type i-TOPCon technology also enhances longevity, aligning with our commitment to building durable, high-performing solar farms.

With Te Herenga o Te Rā, our largest solar farm yet, we’ve continued to strengthen our partnerships. Trinasolar’s high-quality modules, robust supply chain, and on-ground support have been instrumental in making this project a success—our third collaboration with them.

With these three projects at full generation, we can power around 25,000 Kiwi homes each year,” Holden said.

To complete the project, Lodestone Energy plans to reinstate the necessary infrastructure to support livestock, including new yards and fencing, before welcoming the next grazing lessee to Te Herenga o Te Rā later this year.

Together with Lodestone Energy, Trinasolar is contributing to New Zealand’s zero-carbon targets while setting global standards for agrivoltaics.

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SOURCE Trina Solar Energy Development Pte. Ltd.

One day faster transit times for global exports from six cities in Fukuoka and two cities in OitaPickup cutoff times extended by up to 2.5 hours in more than 700 postal areas in Kitakyushu CityFurther strengthens UPS’s advantage as the only international express delivery provider operating flights in the Kyushu region

TOKYO, April 3, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — UPS (NYSE: UPS) is now offering faster export services from more cities in Kyushu, providing businesses in the region with faster and easier access to the company’s industry leading global logistics network.

Effective March 31, export shipments from nearly 800 postal codes in the cities of Iizuka, Koga, Yukuhashi, Miyawaka, Kanda Town, and Kurate Town in Fukuoka prefecture, and Oita and Nakatsu City in Oita prefecture will now arrive to destinations worldwide one business day faster, with same-day uplift to UPS’s daily weekday flight from Kitakyushu Airport.

Furthermore, UPS customers in more than 700 postal areas in Kitakyushu City can now benefit from pickup cutoff times as late as 17:00, an extension of as much as 2.5 hours.

“As the only international express delivery provider with regular flights from Kyushu, we are delighted to provide yet another enhancement to our services to help the region’s businesses reach more customers located across the world,” said Makoto Kato, president of UPS Japan.

“A diverse customer base is a key element of a resilient supply chain, and reaching those customers quickly can make all the difference for businesses looking for a competitive edge. With growth expected in industries such as high tech, automotive and cross-border e-commerce in the region, we’ll continue to provide the products and services our customers need to make the most of every opportunity,” Kato added.

UPS launched daily weekday flights from Kitakyushu Airport in 2023. In December 2024, the company also introduced export services utilizing JR Kyushu’s bullet train, a move that combined the shinkansen network with an international air cargo network for the first time.

For full details of delivery times within UPS’s global network, refer to the UPS time and cost calculator.

About UPS

UPS (NYSE: UPS) is one of the world’s largest companies and provides a broad range of integrated logistics solutions for customers in more than 200 countries and territories. UPS embraces a strategy that is simply stated and powerfully executed: Customer First. People Led. Innovation Driven. The company is committed to reducing its impact on the environment and supporting the communities we serve around the world. More information can be found at https://www.ups.com, about.ups.com and https://investors.ups.com/.

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SOURCE UPS