Moving towards a sustainable path
With the increasing awareness about the need to adopt sustainability in the business sector, there are a number of hotels that have already embraced the concept and are actually enjoying the benefits that come with it.
The benefits of sustainability cut across many sectors and some of the businesses investing in solar PV are experiencing positive environmental and economic returns thus improving their bottom line. The demand for renewable energy and especially solar PV is rising globally as the cost of solar panels continue to plummet.
Sustainability challenges such as climate change and the increased awareness among the customers are the drivers to move towards a sustainable path.
For the hotels’ industry, addressing the challenges of sustainability is undertaken in a holistic way since many hotels have seen tangible benefits as a result of implementing some of the green initiatives such as rooftop solar panels, LED lighting, digital thermostats etc.
LIDAR Powered online solar tools for estimating your solar potential
However, despite the emergence of LIDAR solar panel calculators and online solar marketplaces like the EnergySage that can determine instantly the financial savings of going solar; there is no doubt that companies including hotels would like to learn from other similar companies (case studies) that are tackling these challenges.
As such we have three case studies that are based in the USA. We have provided links that you can check to learn more about the specific hotels captured here. We hope that after researching more about these hotels; you could perhaps check out some of the solar panel calculators or the solar panel cost calculator which utilize LIDAR to provide you with very specific solar irradiation data that is hitting your rooftop. In some cases, especially for hotels that don’t have enough roof space you can contact an online solar marketplace like the EnergySage to access pre-screened solar installers in your local area.
Is solar worth it? Three (3) case studies of solar powered hotels in the USA
Case study 1: Hampton Inn & Suites located in Bakersfield, California
This solar project was implemented by REC Solar and involved the construction of a 102 kW DC solar panel array with annual electricity production of 157,000 kWh DC. This solar power system utilized a solar canopy solution or carport type project. A rooftop solar solution was not possible because it would have caused the closing of the top floor of rooms at the Hampton Inn thus forfeiting revenue. The investor of this project utilized the 30% investment tax credit and other tax benefits to realize the project. Solar PV investor that have a high tax appetite or tax liability and has sufficient upfront capital are more likely to obtain an attractive return on investment (ROI) over the lifetime of the solar power system.
According to REC Solar, over the lifetime of the solar power system, the solar power system will help to offset over 44% of the annual electricity costs. In addition to this energy saving benefit, the carport roofing in addition to providing shade to parked vehicles; also promotes the concept of going green with installed two electric vehicles charging stations, with room for up to eight stations.
This 102 kW DC solar power system and its electric vehicles charging stations were marked by a ribbon-cutting ceremony on July 30, 2014.
Case study 2: Hyatt Regency New Brunswick
In June 2009, Hyatt Regency New Brunswick with technical support from SunPower Corp commissioned a 421- kilowatt solar power system (about 32,000 -square-foot) which is located over the top floor of the hotel’s garage. The hotel adopted some of the best solar panels from SunPower that have the best warranties and provide high efficiency helping to maximize the output of the solar power system. According to Hyatt Regency New Brunswick, the output from the system will help reduce New Jersey’s CO2 emissions by 10,000 tons over the next 30 years, and will further lessen oil dependence by at least 749 barrels annually, using conversion formulas provided by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. 
Also, using a solar power system from a well-known solar manufacturer (SunPower solar panels) in the USA that has some of the best product warranty of up to the lifespan of its solar panel (about 25 years) coupled with the best solar panels efficiency in the market guarantees a great return on investment (ROI) for this project
Case study 3: La Quinta Inn & Suites in Danbury, Connecticut
This is a 400 solar panels solar power system of 132 kWh capacity. The project was commissioned in July 2015 and with savings of $1,500 a month in energy costs and earning $16,000 annually in renewable energy credits. Connecticut is one of the US states that has high electricity costs and the average retail price in 2015 was 23 US cents per kWh compared to a national average of about 13 US cents per kWh. La Quinta Inn & Suites in Danbury has also adopted other green initiatives, including but not limited to LED lighting and digital thermostats.
Solar power systems adopted in places with high electricity costs helps to maximize on energy savings and help to hedge against the rising electricity costs.
The case studies explained above indicate that hotels are seeing the benefits of going solar and the adoption of solar panels from very well-known solar panel manufacturers can help to realize economic and environmental benefits of switching to solar. This solar panel will answer whether: is solar worth it for your hotel?
If you are interested in going solar you can start using this solar panel calculator to estimate your savings, costs and the return on investment (ROI) based on the type of solar power system you end up installing. This solar panel cost calculator will help you to determine: is solar worth it for your hotel?
You can also find out more about the following solar panels brands listed below.