Identifying challenges, benefits, and recommendations for utilizing solar panels in sport stadiums: A thematic analysis

Abstract

Renewable energies are the need of today’s world and future based on the evidences which are available. Actually, there are many types of renewable energy which are now being used. One of the main types is solar energy since it is available and very well known in scientific communities and industrial procedures. Solar energy is the sustainable energy resource and can be utilized in different places. One of the significant parts is in sport arenas. Basically, nowadays sport industry like other sectors are converging to the use of renewable energies especially solar energy. Nonetheless, there are some challenges in this application. Here, the potential draw backs are named and mentioned in details. Moreover, benefits also are embedded. Hence, this study focuses on the mere use of solar energy and its corresponding pros and cons. The comprehensive data are gathered by reviewing the previous work to illuminate the characteristics of this valuable energy resource in sport stadiums and arenas. We used the interviews and thematic method by interviewing in-depth with eight expert. Our finding revealed the challenges: economic and social challenges, the structure of the stadiums, policy and regulations, and the technical aspect. We also presented many benefits such as reducing emissions, reducing costs and sustainable development for sports stadiums.