In our Rooftop Solar series, I look at some interesting rooftop solar installations in hotels around the world.
To make it easy on your eyes, I have provided as many pictures as possible, with links to the original news articles.
Hope you like these.
The 1.6 MW rooftop array at the Grand Palladium Hotel is one of Jamaica’s largest solar installations. ( Source)
6,336 modules designed for self consumption on site. Excess energy will be fed to the Jamaica Public Service Company (JPS) utility as part of an ongoing power purchase agreement (PPA).
Mandalay Bay in Las Vegas, USA – one of the largest contiguous rooftop solar photovoltaic arrays in the world – 6.2 MW (source)
MGM Resort’s first commercial solar project in the United States and will generate enough electricity to power 1,000 homes. MGM Resorts International operates other destination resort brands including the Bellagio, MGM Grand and the Mirage. MGM Resorts chose Mandalay Bay for the new solar array due to its expansive sun-oriented rooftop, which spans about 20 acres.
Moonrise Hotel, St Louis, Missouri, USA. Just 25 kW, but what is interesting is that the solar panels act as the ceiling for the new room on top (source)
The space will be able to accommodate 200 people for a reception-style event or 150 for a seated meal. Meeting room-style setups can accommodate from 50 to 150 attendees. The option to use solar panels as a ceiling on rooftops opens up many avenues of opportunities for solar in the commercial and industrial sectors, especially in sectors such as hospitality and office buildings.
Hampton Inn 102 kW Solar carport, Bakersfield, CA, USA (source)
The attractively designed 102 kW solar carport installed by REC Solar, combined with energy efficiencies, will not only offset up to 44% of the 94-room hotel’s electricity costs, but it will also provide much appreciated shade for arriving visitors and hours of sun protection for 29 parked cars.
I MW Rooftop solar on Orlando Orange County Convention Centre (source)
Features about 6,000 SolarWorld panels. Four Satcon 250-kW inverters, and Fat Spaniel monitoring technology.
The system offsets about 10 percent of the buildings’ electrical use, which he pointed out, doesn’t seem like a lot. However, when you consider that the convention center’s electric bill is $1 million per month, it’s a pretty significant chunk of electricity.
Since it’s in Florida, Solar Source installed the panels to withstand hurricanes, which wreak havoc on the nation during hurricane season each year.
116 kW on Venetian Hotel, Las Vegas, carport on the rooftop (source)
This unique carport is on top of the 15-story parking structure. Careful planning was required to design the carport attachment as well as routing conduit all the way down to ground-level.
A few more interesting links
http://www.sunpower.com.au/commercial/success-story/crown-plaza-hotel/
http://www.smartplanet.com/blog/smart-takes/worlds-largest-solar-powered-office-building-opens-in-china/
http://www.sunlightelectric.com/photogallery_v2.php?customers_id=4
See also: Suncyclopedia, the Solar Encyclopedia
VERY GOOD INITIATIVES.THERE ARE THOUSANDS OF HOTELS IN ALL COUNTRIES.THEY SHOULD ALSO DO THIS.
Informative and gives perspective of what others are doing innovatively for self sufficiency and cost savings.
Vikas
HP 9841099898
Its a nice movement worldwide for enhancement of Green Energy.
Those who have possible must adopt it,its need of the time .
I have a small hotel of 38 rooms in Hyderabad , I plan to install a solar unit on my roof top to generate power for my own consumption, I need advice , quotes , maybe a model or display unit for any body to show a model unit for marketing
Anil Kumar M
Serene Nest Service Apartments
Hitech City,, 131 P, Jubilee Garden , Kondapur
Hyderabad -84
India
+919550050505
Email: anilkumarmadala@yahoo.com
The best solution nowadays is to go for ongrid connections. With tax depreciation, your ROI should be well below 5 years with a good system. If you require further advice, drop a line in my mail