SolarWorld Enters Landmark Partnership with Portland Soccer Team

SolarWorld, the largest solar manufacturer in the United States, has entered a landmark deal to be the primary jersey sponsor of the Portland Timbers, a professional soccer team in Portland, Oregon. Soccer, the most dominant sport in the world (outside of North America), is nothing new to SolarWorld, but the deal with the Timbers marks the first-ever sponsorship by a solar company of a soccer team in the U.S.

SolarWorld has three manufacturing plants on the West Coast, with its US headquarters and a 500-megawatt manufacturing plant located in Hillsboro, Ore. just west of Portland. The company, which originated in Germany, will be the Timbers’ jersey sponsor for 2010.

“We pride ourselves on being a green organization – not just our colors – and partnering with a preeminent sustainable company like SolarWorld is a no-brainer,” said Timbers President Merritt Paulson in a press release. The Timbers, now a member of the North American Soccer League, will become a Major League Soccer (MLS) franchise in 2011.

SolarWorld’s other activities in the soccer arena include a marketing agreement with Lucas Podolski of the German team, FC Cologne, as well as providing solar power to a community studio in Africa that will broadcast the 2010 FIFA World Cup to local residents. The latter project is part of the company’s Solar2World program that helps bring solar power to developing countries.

“Soccer is the most international sport,” said Boris Klebensberger, President and Chief Operating Officer of the U.S. branch of SolarWorld. “As a renewable-energy company involved in every major solar market, it’s only fitting for us to help support the sport in and around our various sites, including near our U.S. headquarters in Hillsboro.”

Photo Credit: Portland Timbers

Posted on March 8th in Solar News by Dan.