AZ Alkmaar stadium’s roof collapse caused by weight of solar panels installed to save energy

AZ ALKMAAR'S shocking stadium roof collapse was caused by the extra weight of solar panels installed FOUR YEARS ago, it has emerged.

Part of the ground's main stand was ruined after its roof came crashing down at the weekend - fortunately with no one in it.

Now it can be revealed the collapse was due to the additional weight of the 1,700 solar panels - initially installed to save money.

While the Eredivisie side may have saved money on electricity over the last four years, since the 2015 installation, the stadium repairs will cost them a fortune.

The solar panels were put in place by Dutch company Amstelveen Sunprojects - who admitted the installation was not without its issues.

Anna Lambrechts, commercial director of the company, revealed at the time: "The original construction was not calculated on solar panels.

"But together with our suppliers we have devised a solution for this and the panels have been placed on the roof after all."

Amstelveen Sunprojects have now said they will be making a statement about the roof collapse in due course.

NO PERMIT

Meanwhile, Chris de Wild - a spokesperson for the municipality of Alkmaar - revealed all the work revolving around the solar panels were done with a permit.

De Wild claimed: "[A permit] simply wasn't necessary.

"According to the building decree, solar panels can be installed without an adapted building permit or inspection.

"Calculations by the constructor showed that the roof could support the panels.

"At the time, we were kept well informed about the plans and calculations, that was sufficient for the municipality."

The AFAS Stadion has a capacity of 17,023 people, centred in Alkmaar - 25 miles outside of Amsterdam.

AZ travelled to RKC Waalwijk in a league match on Sunday, having played at home against Fortuna Sittard last weekend.

Fortunately, it quickly emerged no-one was in the stadium at the time of the roof's collapse.

This is not the first major incident to happen at the stadium either, after a fire broke out in the ground during a Europa League clash with Atromitos in 2013.

That match was abandoned after 57 minutes, with the Greek side leading 1-0.