The reconstructed arena (pictured top) will host the final of the FIFA World Cup 2014 and the Opening and Closing Ceremonies of the Rio 2016 Olympics and Paralympics.

The partnership, which also involves the Rio de Janeiro State Government, will go some way to meeting the demand for a 'green' World Cup.

In 2011, 90 per cent of Brazilians said they wanted the competition to be environmentally friendly.

Yingli is the first ever Chinese company or renewable energy provider to sponsor the World Cup.

"This is a unique opportunity to provide power to the most famous stadium in Brazil and work with two of the largest Brazilian companies in electricity generation and solar energy," said Liangsheng Miao, chairman and chief executive of Yingli Green Energy, owner of the Yingli Solar brand.

"Brazil has an emerging market that is important for Yingli," added Liangsheng Miao.

"We will continue expanding our presence here as the solar energy potential of the country continues to grow."


The placing of the solar panels (pictured above) on the roof is strategically designed to highlight visually the importance of the environment and sustainability to the World Cup.

"In our opinion, sustainability is a central foundation of the FIFA World Cup 2014," said Federico Addiechi, director of corporate social responsibility at FIFA.

"We hope that this flagship project is an incentive for other Brazilian stadiums to install photovoltaic systems in order to increase the production and use of renewable energy in the country."

The Maracanã was originally built for the 1950 World Cup, the last time Brazil hosted the tournament in which they lost the final to Uruguay.

It is being renovated for 2014 with the stadium upgraded and a new roof being installed.

Yingli is also the United States' Major League Soccer's first official renewable energy partner as well as being a partner of German giants Bayern Munich and American football team New York Jets.

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