How Solar Helped Power Royal Ascot 2025
Quietly effective. Seriously scalable. Built into the way Ascot now works.
Ascot Racecourse is known for tradition, spectacle, and a calendar-topping five days of racing. But behind the scenes, things are changing - and fast. The push toward net-zero by 2040 is well underway, and solar power is doing a lot of the heavy lifting. It started with a single SmartFlower in 2022 - powering a restaurant during Royal Ascot and feeding back into the grid. Since then, things have scaled. Quietly, but seriously.
From Demos to Daily Operations
What began as a bold show of intent is now part of how the site runs. In 2023, the Village Enclosure went net-zero using solar, battery storage, and low-emission generators. By 2024, solar-powered lighting, compactors, and mobile battery units were in regular use across the site. This isn’t trial and error anymore - it’s infrastructure. Solar is here, and it’s working. 2025 saw four main levels of Solar implementation – and here’s why they matter.
SmartFlower & Grid Contribution
It’s been a regular fixture since 2022 — and for good reason. The SmartFlower is the world’s only all-in-one sculptural solar system, and at Ascot it does more than just look the part. With a nominal output of 2.5kWp and annual energy production between 4,000–6,500kWh, it’s a compact but powerful contributor to the site’s clean energy mix.
It automatically tracks the sun throughout the day, boosting efficiency by up to 40% over fixed panels. It operates in extreme conditions (from -20°C to 55°C), includes built-in safety systems for high winds, and has a 25-year performance warranty — making it as tough as it is smart.
At around 700kg, it needs just four fastening points and a small footprint (16ft³ clear space). During Royal Ascot, and especially if it’s sunny for 17 hours a day, it provides reliable energy back into the grid. Stylish, self-contained, and proven — it’s everything a modern venue needs in a solar solution.
Off-Grid Power for Heavy Machinery
Big kit, clean power. This year saw the Europress CombiMax SMARTSolar return - a fully solar-powered waste compactor built to handle serious waste streams like cardboard, plastic, and mixed material. It runs completely off-grid using four 300W solar panels, making it ideal for locations without easy access to mains electricity.
It’s tough, efficient, and smart. On a sunny day, it can operate for over 2.5 hours of compaction on solar energy alone - no diesel, no emissions. And when needed, it can still connect to mains power to extend runtime. With container options from 14 m³ to 20 m³ and tailored feed hoppers, it’s adaptable to whatever the site needs.
This isn’t just a box-ticking exercise - it’s a genuine switch to low-impact infrastructure. Heavy machinery doesn’t have to mean heavy emissions anymore.
Temporary PV for Essential Services
Ascot is transforming temporary infrastructure with renewable energy. In 2025, mobile solar panels are being used to power foul water pumps, toilet lighting, and other key services - making these operations fully off-grid.
These systems are compact, efficient, and quickly deployable, offering clean power without compromising performance. They reduce the need for fuel-based generators while lowering emissions and operational costs.
This approach is flexible and repeatable which is ideal for large events where sustainability matters. It proves that temporary services don’t have to sacrifice environmental standards to be effective.
Low-Level Demand, Smart Solutions
At Ascot, even small-scale energy use is going solar. From LED path lighting to signage and staff utilities, low-demand systems are now powered by solar-charged batteries - quietly cutting carbon use where it adds up most.
These solutions work well for lighting that’s used only at intervals, especially in high-footfall areas. If high use is predicated, then battery backup ensures reliability without drawing from the main grid.
Easy to install, move, and scale, these solar units reduce noise, cost, and emissions. They show how thoughtful energy use at every level supports Ascot’s wider sustainability mission - one light at a time.
Continuously Evolving
More panels. More integration. More impact. This year, solar expansion continued across the site — from hospitality zones to operational support. The Village Enclosure once again aimed to hit net-zero. Meanwhile, real-time energy monitoring and modular power setups helped fine-tune demand and performance across race week.
Recognition That Means Something
In 2024, Ascot became the first racecourse in the world to receive ECOsmart accreditation. That wasn’t a marketing move — it was earned, and solar was a big part of it. Cleaner power, lower emissions, smarter operations.
Why It Works
Generating power on-site means less reliance on the grid, more control, and better resilience. When you’re dealing with the energy spikes that come with major race days, that flexibility matters. It’s not just about cutting carbon — it’s about running the venue better.
Not Just for Show
Everything listed here is in use. Not as a gimmick, but because it works. Whether it’s a SmartFlower feeding the grid or a solar-powered pump keeping things moving behind the scenes, it’s all part of a bigger shift. Sustainability isn’t bolted on — it’s being built in.
Peter Watts, MD, Rockvolt
“At Royal Ascot 2025, Ascot Racecourse has further progressed operational sustainability—leveraging solar-powered solutions not only to provide clean energy across the venue but to showcase what world-class events can achieve when innovation meets responsibility.
This is underpinned by the ongoing solar initiatives building on previous years, including the iconic Smartflower solar array in the Windsor Enclosure, solar street LEDs, EV-charging via solar-powered waste compactor systems and lighting—demonstrating a tangible commitment to environmental stewardship at Royal Ascot.
My question to all events and sports venues would be ‘why wouldn’t you seek to implement these technologies?’ They’re so efficient, easy to install and operate, and the environmental benefits are tangible.
By integrating these sustainable solutions, Royal Ascot has once again demonstrated industry leading environmental stewardship and set a benchmark for sustainable event management."
