Australian cricketers launch initiative to get solar panels on clubhouse roofs

Australia’s leading cricketers, including Australian men’s captain Pat Cummins and women's vice-captain Rachael Haynes, have launched an initiative to have solar panels installed at 15 local cricket clubs, as a precursor to unlocking the solar potential of the 4,000 clubs across Australia.

Solar Clubs is an initiative of Cricket for Climate, a new organisation inspired by Cummins that is focused on driving tangible change, and tackling some of the broader climate issues facing cricket.

Advising that the Solar Clubs initiative is good for the environment and local cricket clubs, as the money they save on electricity bills can be reinvested back into resources and player development, Cummins explains “I’m proud that my local club, the Penrith Cricket Club, was first up and has had solar panels installed through the Cricket for Climate initiative.

“Climate scientists have warned that cricket will be among the sports hardest hit by global warming, and as players we’ve already experienced the impacts, like worsening extreme heat and having matches affected by or cancelled due to bushfire smoke. This is why we need to see urgent action to reduce emissions, the Solar Clubs initiative does this while also having an added economic benefit.”

Haynes added “along with Alyssa Healy, I’m really proud to be part of the formative steps taken by Cricket for Climate to address climate change in a very real and practical way.

“Alyssa and I will be supporting the Sydney Cricket Club with the installation of solar systems at Drummoyne Oval. We’re both still involved with the club,so to be able to help the club cut their emissions, as well as save them money is something I’m sure we’ll be able to point to years from now as an initiative that made a very real difference.”

Also backing the initiative, Todd Greenberg, Chief Executive of the Australian Cricketers' Association (ACA) which has also signed the United Nation’s Sports for Climate Action framework, noted “if players, sporting administrators and clubs work towards a common goal to put sustainability at the front of their plans, then Australian cricket has the opportunity to play its role in slowing global warming and mitigating the existential threat that cricket faces.

"We’re proud that Pat is leading the charge of our players who know we need to do more to reduce our emissions and mitigate the worst aspects of climate change. Acknowledging this responsibility, the ACA has signed the UN Sport for Climate declaration, and is committed to partnering with our players to support efficient and sustainable projects, such as installing solar panels on cricket clubs across the country.”

Seen as a first step in getting cricket clubs across Australia to make the most of solar energy, Solar Clubs is supported by partners including LONGi, Sungrow and One Stop Warehouse, who have generously the solar and inverter systems for the first 15 cricket clubs taking part in the initial phase of the program.

Penrith Cricket Club President, Paul Goldsmith commented “we’re thrilled to be part of this Cricket for Climate Solar Clubs initiative. The annual electricity bill for our club was around $17,000 per year and it’s estimated that, as well as reducing carbon emissions, this new solar system will save us more than $3,000 every year, which can be redirected into much needed resources and future focussed projects, like junior development.”

Cummins concluded “like all Australian athletes, we try our hardest to punch above our weight on the world stage. And with the incredible natural resources we have on hand we want to do that on climate too.

“Few countries in the world can match Australia’s extraordinary potential to generate renewable energy like solar and wind power - we think this is a win-win situation for our game and for the environment.”

The Solar Clubs initiative is being driven by a new organisation, Cricket for Climate, and has the support of 15 prominent Australian cricketers, including Cummins, Haynes, Healy, Nathan Lyon, Josh Hazelwood, Mitch Starc, Moses Henriques, Marnus Labashange, David Warner, Mitch Marsh and Adam Zampa.

As well as Penrith Cricket Club in Western Sydney, the other clubs that will receive panels through the Solar Clubs initiative so far are Sydney Cricket Club, Northern District Cricket Club, Tamworth Cricket Club, Sutherland Cricket Club, all in NSW and the Cleveland Thornlands Cricket Club in Queensland.

For more information go to climatemediacentre.org.au

Images: Paul Goldsmith, Todd Greenberg and Pat Cummins at the launch of Cricket for Climate (top), the solar system installed at the Penrith Cricket Club (middle) and Cummins encouraging young cricketers (below).