Following on from Real Madrid’s solar energy partnership with ELITE Solar, another footballing giant, Bayern Munich, has signed a similar deal with LONGi Green Energy Technology.
The deal was announced during Bayern Munich‘s recent visit to Asia, and marks LONGi’s second move into sports this year, following its partnership with the BMW Berlin Marathon.
‘Power On, Game On’
In a statement, LONGi said the agreement will support joint campaigns, content and fan engagement under the message ‘Power On, Game On’, while also creating opportunities to connect its solar technology with the club’s sustainability activities.
“FC Bayern and LONGi come from different worlds, but we are driven by the same instinct: keep improving, keep challenging ourselves, and never treat one achievement as the end,” commented Zhong Baoshen, chairman and general manager of LONGi. “Football connects millions of people, and energy touches every one of them.”
LONGi operates across the global solar and energy markets, with solutions covering utility-scale power plants, commercial and industrial projects, and residential systems. According to the company, its crystalline silicon-perovskite tandem solar cell holds a ‘world record’ conversion efficiency of 35.5%. In addition, the company has retained PV Tech’s AAA bankability rating for 26 consecutive quarters.
It noted that its partnership with the German football giant pairs its own record of technology leadership with a ‘sport built on emotion, loyalty and everyday relevance. […] Where the two meet, LONGi’s engineering finds a place in daily life, and the game finds a partner building the future its fans will live in.’
LONGi has set a target of achieving net zero emissions by 2050, as well as accelerating the green energy transition, through its Solar for Solar initiative.
‘Shared drive for excellence’
“FC Bayern is synonymous with excellence on the pitch,” added Rouven Kasper, board member for marketing and sales, FC Bayern. “Alongside LONGi, we’re united by a shared drive for excellence and a genuine commitment to building a more sustainable future. We look forward to partnering with this global industry leader to keep renewable energy firmly in the spotlight.”
Through its Mitnand strategy, Bayern has sought to integrate environmental and social responsibility across club operations.
Pictured are Charles Jiang, Vice President of LONGi and President of the PV Product Management Center; Zhong Baoshen, Chairman and General Manager of LONGi; Rouven Kasper, Board Member for Marketing & Sales, FC Bayern; and FC Bayern legend Roy Makaay. Read more here.
