Yingli Green Energy Holding Co. Ltd. became the first renewable energy firm to sponsor the World Cup that was held in South Africa in 2010. The company continued to expand its brand via one of the world’s most popular sports with its help hosting a “Switching On” ceremony for the Mathare Football for Hope Center in Nairobi.
Yingli’s chairman and CEO Liansheng Miao said in 2011 that the response from its sponsorship in the 2010 FIFA World Cup increased Yingli’s brand awareness. He said, “We were also very happy to see how our products brought smiles to the children in need by supplying our solar solutions for FIFA’s Football for Hope program.” The company became the first official renewable energy partner of US Soccer and the US Mens, Womens, and Youth national teams through the end of 2014.
And the company shows no signs of stopping its soccer-infused campaign with Yingli Green Energy Americas’ announcement that it partnered with the US soccer star Mia Hamm and residential solar installer Verengo Solar to promote residential solar energy. Under the “Friends and Family of US Soccer” program, homeowners who go solar as a result of this campaign will automatically receive an additional $250 in electricity savings.
To support the program, Mia Hamm and her husband, champion baseball star Nomar Garciaparra, will promote affordable home solar solutions through radio advertisements and signage at numerous youth soccer tournaments in key solar energy markets, including California and New York. In the radio spots, Hamm and Garciaparra will encourage consumers to request solar consultations with Verengo by communicating the positive economic, social, and environmental impacts of solar energy, while emphasizing the increased availability of solar financing options that reduce upfront costs for consumers.
The couples’ message will focus on their personal experience working with Verengo and Yingli Green Energy Americas to install two solar energy systems for themselves and their family members. In total, these systems will contain over 130 Yingli Solar panels that will offset over 1,110 tons of C02 during their lifetimes, which is the equivalent of planting over 28,000 trees.
Helena Kimball, Head of Marketing of Yingli Green Energy Americas, explained, "Given that four out of five of the nation’s largest solar markets also top the charts for attendance at US National Soccer team games, and that youth tournament attendees are predominantly eco-conscious parents and homeowners, the ‘Friends and Family of US Soccer’ is a good driver for solar adoption and awareness."
Make sure you visit and click ‘Like’ on our Facebook page to receive even more news and updates from Alternative Energy Africa.