Even though it doesn’t seem like it, horse racing facilities have always been energy-hungry places. Most people think of them as barns where horses stay, and the only power consumption happens when the lights are turned on. But most horse racing facilities are massive barns that need ventilation year-round, scoreboards, broadcast equipment, offices, restaurants, a kitchen, and a parking structure, and most of them act as hotels where people can stay for a few days.
So, yes, they consume a lot of energy, and for a sport that’s as “green” as horse racing (or trying to be), advancing to solar power energy is the right step. Horse racing is one of the oldest sports in the world, and for decades, the power came from the grid. But that’s changing nowadays as racetracks are becoming more sustainable.
When you think about it, solar power on horse racing facilities makes a lot of sense. They are usually in rural areas (outside of the city) and in places where they get plenty of sunlight all year round. So, why not use that to power their everyday operations?
Well, some tracks have already done this, and we’ll explore further.
From Tradition to Transformation
Horse racing as a sport is steeped in tradition, and solar panels don’t exactly scream heritage. Even though this technology feels “out of place” at the racetrack, it paints a new picture of the sport as it enters the new era.
As technology moves forward, solar panels are becoming cheaper. So, they make much more sense in terms of business and savings. On top of that, being sustainable is a new trend, so not only are they saving money, but they are also promoting their business as a future-oriented one.
Horse racing needs to attract younger people as soon as possible, and being a sustainable business might be the right move, since this is a trend with the younger generation. Some even avoid placing bets on horse racing events that are not sustainable.
And being an energy-hungry sport, powering lights, ventilation, hospitality, kitchens, barns, and even betting operations, renewable energy makes perfect sense. Who knows, maybe this move will attract many new bettors, which will bring new money to the sport and make it even bigger.
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Why Racetracks Are Perfect for Solar
Racecourses have something that solar developers love – space!
Most of them have wide-open land, long flat roofs, and big parking areas that bake in the sun all day. Bear in mind, we are talking about areas that are outside of city limits and where space isn’t as crowded.
On top of that, most horse racing events happen during daylight hours or early evening, which is the perfect timing for maximum power output. This can reduce peak electricity costs without any behavioral change.
Facilities such as Dresden Raceway have already embraced large-scale solar installation, not as a publicity stunt, but as infrastructure. The goal isn’t to look green but to save money and make the entire business more sustainable.
It’s just a smarter design, with little to almost no sacrifice. Yes, it is a big investment, especially installing hundreds of solar panels, but most racecourses return their investment in a few years.
They Need Power
We all think that a racetrack needs as much power to run a 2-minute race, which is not true. We are talking about a sport that doesn’t stop at the finish line. There are training centers, barns that require airflow to keep horses healthy, fans that stay in the hotel or restaurant, water pumps, lights, you name it.
Speaking of water, pumps are quite important for washing horses, irrigating tracks, and maintaining turf, which means that they run 24/7 and consume a lot of power. Solar doesn’t eliminate that demand, but it softens the blow enough to matter on the balance sheet. In other words, solar power will significantly cut down the electricity bill.
When Sustainability Becomes a Business Decision
Back in the day, businesses were becoming sustainable just because it was a trend. But that era is over. Nowadays, companies are becoming more sustainable just because they are forced to do so.
We live in times where prices are sky-high, and all costs keep rising and rising. Businesses have no choice but to raise their prices, too. So, don’t be surprised when you see the ticket price for the next horse racing event you are planning to attend.
But installing solar panels will help racetracks manage their own economy. It will make not only their business more sustainable but also their finances. They will be less dependent on the economy, and in today’s day and age, that’s a good thing.
A Future That Makes Financial Sense
This isn’t something special. Horse racing doesn’t need to reinvent itself to survive. It needs to operate smarter, and renewable energy is the right way to go.
It fits perfectly in the sports reality. After all, who doesn’t love lower costs, more freedom, and being less dependent on third-party prices that influence your business?
And since we are talking about an industry that’s built on long-term thinking, this is the perfect step that will future-proof horse racing as a sport.
