Diesel generators have been the default power source for outdoor events for decades. They're reliable, widely available, and well-understood by the events industry. They're also noisy, smelly, expensive, and produce significant carbon emissions. As renewable energy technology has matured, viable alternatives are now available for events of all sizes.
The problem with diesel
A typical outdoor festival might consume 50,000-100,000 litres of diesel over a weekend, generating 130-260 tonnes of CO2. Beyond carbon emissions, diesel generators produce local air pollution, noise that can interfere with acoustic performances, and the risk of fuel spills on sensitive sites.
Generators are also commonly oversized for the actual demand, running at 10-30% of capacity for much of the event while still burning fuel. This inefficiency is partly a safety margin -- nobody wants the power to fail mid-headline set -- but it means that a significant proportion of fuel is wasted.
Powerful Thinking, the UK festival industry's think-tank on energy, estimates that festivals waste approximately 12 million litres of diesel annually through oversized and inefficient generator use. That's both an environmental and a financial cost that the industry is increasingly motivated to address.
Solar power at events
Solar panels are most effective for daytime events during spring and summer months, when UK solar irradiance is at its peak. Portable solar arrays can power smaller stages, charging stations, information points, and back-of-house operations during daylight hours.
Companies like Solar Sonic and We Are Power provide mobile solar installations specifically designed for events. These typically combine solar panels with battery storage, allowing excess energy generated during the day to be used after dark. For a small stage or ambient music area, a solar-battery system can provide 100% of the power needed without any diesel backup.
The economics of solar for events have improved considerably. While the upfront hire cost may be slightly higher than a diesel generator, you save on fuel costs -- and those savings can be substantial for multi-day events. Solar also eliminates the logistical headache of fuel deliveries and the insurance implications of storing large quantities of diesel on site.
Battery storage systems
Battery storage is arguably the most transformative technology for event power. Large-format lithium-ion batteries can be charged from the grid at the event's home base, transported to site, and deployed to provide clean, silent power. When the batteries run low, they can be recharged from the grid, from solar panels, or -- in a hybrid setup -- from a small, efficient generator.
Firefly Clean Energy, based in the UK, offers battery systems ranging from small units suitable for food stalls to large systems capable of powering main stages. Their Stage Power system has been used at festivals including Glastonbury, the Green Gathering, and numerous smaller events.
The advantages of battery power extend beyond environmental benefits. Batteries are silent, which is a significant advantage for acoustic performances or events in noise-sensitive locations. They produce no local air pollution and no vibrations. They can be positioned closer to the point of use, reducing cable runs and power losses.
Hybrid power systems
For larger events where total battery power isn't yet practical, hybrid systems offer a pragmatic middle ground. These combine battery storage with a smaller, more efficient generator that charges the batteries during low-demand periods. The batteries handle peak demand, while the generator runs at its optimal efficiency point rather than idling at low load.
Hybrid systems typically reduce diesel consumption by 30-60% compared to traditional generator-only setups. They also reduce noise and emissions proportionally. For many festivals, hybrid power represents a realistic stepping stone towards fully renewable event power.
The Midas Portable Power system, developed in the UK, is one example of a hybrid approach designed specifically for the events market. It combines intelligent power management with battery storage and optional solar input to minimise generator runtime.
Wind power
Small-scale wind turbines have been trialled at some UK festivals, though they're less common than solar. Wind is inherently less predictable than solar in the short term, making it less reliable as a primary power source for time-critical events. However, as a supplementary source alongside solar and battery storage, wind can contribute usefully, particularly at coastal or hilltop sites where wind speeds are higher.
The Vision:2025 perspective
Vision:2025, the UK festival industry's collective commitment to sustainability, identified energy as one of the key areas for action. Their research shows that most festivals could reduce their energy-related emissions by 50% using currently available technology -- without any reduction in production quality or audience experience.
The barriers are primarily financial (renewable systems have higher upfront costs, though lower running costs) and logistical (event power planners need training and experience with new technologies). As demand grows and more events adopt renewable power, costs are falling and expertise is spreading.
Starting small
You don't need to power your entire event with renewables from day one. Start by identifying low-power areas -- information points, merchandise stalls, food vendors, phone charging stations -- and supply those with solar or battery power. This reduces your diesel consumption, provides a visible sustainability message, and gives you experience with the technology before scaling up.
Similarly, reducing your overall power demand through LED lighting, efficient sound systems, and smart power management makes renewable alternatives more viable. The less energy you need, the easier it is to supply it cleanly.
