Hotels are among the highest energy consumers, with heating water for guest rooms, kitchens, pools, and spas being among the most significant energy demands. Unfortunately, relying on traditional energy sources like electricity and gas not only leads to soaring operational costs but also increases carbon emissions, which puts pressure on hotels to find more sustainable solutions. 

Solarus offers a new approach through its PVT (Photovoltaic-Thermal) technology, specifically designed to reduce energy consumption by harnessing solar power to generate both electricity and hot water. This dual-function technology enables hotels to significantly lower their energy bills while cutting carbon emissions – a key factor as the industry moves towards greener practices and certifications like those from GBCSA, such as EDGE. 

With Solarus’ technology, hotels can align with rising guest expectations for eco-friendly hospitality, achieve sustainability goals, and save substantially on costs. 

What We Cover:

• The Impact of Solar Energy Technologies on the Hospitality Industry
• Case Study: Hyatt Regency Hotel in Cape Town
• What Is Solarus’ Solution?
• The Future of Renewable Energy in the Hospitality Industry

The Impact of Solar Energy Technologies on the Hospitality Industry

Hotels consume an average of 218 gallons (that’s approximately 825.2 litres!) per occupied room each day, as highlighted by a 2024 report from the International Tourism Partnership (International Tourism Partnership, 2024, as cited in Hotel Technology News, 2024). 

But why change? For starters, the Global Sustainable Tourism Report 2023 reveals that hotels implementing sustainable practices have reported a 12% increase in overall revenue compared to their traditional counterparts (Global Sustainable Tourism Report, 2023, as cited in Roiback, 2024).

And it’s not just about the money. The World Tourism Organization reported that 73% of global travellers actually prefer staying at hotels that adopt sustainable practices (World Tourism Organization, 2023, as cited in Hotel Technology News, 2024). 

By using solar energy, hotels lower their carbon footprint and attract these eco-conscious guests, improving their reputation and fostering customer loyalty. 

Case Study: Hyatt Regency Hotel in Cape Town

The Hyatt Regency Hotel in Cape Town wanted to make the most of its rooftop space, but traditional solar panels could only meet around 5% of its energy needs. That’s where Solarus came in and made a real difference – covering an impressive 75% of the hotel’s annual hot water needs.

In 2019, we installed 66 PVT collectors and four heat pumps, generating 265,604 kWh of renewable energy annually. This has helped the hotel cut its CO₂ emissions by 262,949 kg annually – a huge win for its sustainability efforts. Even better, the system paid for itself in just four years.

One of the biggest challenges was integrating these advanced systems into the hotel’s existing setup without disturbing daily operations. But thanks to our thorough site assessments and detailed planning, we accomplished this seamlessly, with minimal disruption for guests or staff.

What Is Solarus’ Solution?

In recent years, the adoption of Solarus’ renewable energy solution has gained momentum in the hospitality sector. Increased awareness of sustainability, rising energy costs, and regulatory pressures drive this shift. Hotels are turning to solar thermal systems to meet their energy demands more sustainably and improve their green credentials, and Solarus is leading this charge with its innovative hybrid system.

Solarus is a global renewable energy company that provides turnkey solutions that convert solar energy into hot water and electricity. Our solutions combine solar photovoltaic and thermal technology and cater to diverse hospitality, commercial, and industrial clients.

Key Benefits of Solarus’ Solution

Traditional solar PV panels convert only 20% of the sun’s energy into electricity, with the remaining 80% lost as heat. Solarus’ hybrid PVT solution captures this lost heat, converting it into usable thermal energy, achieving an overall efficiency of up to 89% (20% from PV and 69% from thermal). 

• Energy Efficiency: Solarus’ solution significantly reduces energy consumption by producing both electricity and hot water from the same panel. It is four times more efficient than standard PV panels. 

• Cost-Effectiveness: The Solarus solution reduces operational costs, guarantees savings on hot water energy bills, and delivers a faster return on investment.

• Seamless Integration: When the Solarus team arrives for the installation, your operations can continue with minimal disruption. 

• Scalability: Solarus systems can be customised to meet the needs of different hospitality establishments, from small boutique hotels to large resorts.

• Proven Technology: With a strong track record, US patents for C-PVT technology, and a healthy pipeline of global projects, Solarus is a trusted partner in renewable energy.

Maintenance and Financial Incentives

After installation, Solarus is here to make sure your system runs smoothly. Our all-inclusive maintenance services cover everything from routine inspections to troubleshooting and quick fixes, so your energy solution always performs at its best.

We also know that investing in large-scale energy systems is a big decision. That’s why we work closely with hotels to explore financing options, subsidies, and incentives that can help reduce upfront costs, making sustainable energy both affordable and financially sustainable in the long run.

The Future of Renewable Energy in the Hospitality Industry

The future of the hospitality industry lies in transitioning to renewable energy, and Solarus is at the forefront of this movement. As hotels face rising energy costs and increasing pressure to meet sustainability goals, partnering with Solarus offers a practical, efficient, and cost-effective solution. 

If you’re a hotel owner or decision-maker looking to make a meaningful shift towards sustainability, now is the time to explore how Solarus can help. We’d love to hear from you. 

Contact us for a customised energy assessment and find out how our solutions can benefit your hotel, both in terms of sustainability and profitability. 

References

1. World Tourism Organization. (2023). Global travellers’ preference for sustainable hotels (as cited in Hotel Technology News, 2024). Retrieved from https://hoteltechnologynews.com/2024/04/while-more-hotels-are-turning-to-green-technology-for-sustainable-operations-the-industry-still-has-a-long-way-to-go/

2. Global Sustainable Tourism Report. (2023). The economic impact of sustainability in the hotel industry (as cited in Roiback, 2024). Retrieved from https://en.roiback.com/rb-academy/the-growth-of-sustainability-in-hotels.

3. International Tourism Partnership. (2024). Water consumption in the hotel industry: A sustainability challenge (as cited in Hotel Technology News, 2024). Retrieved from https://hoteltechnologynews.com/2024/04/while-more-hotels-are-turning-to-green-technology-for-sustainable-operations-the-industry-still-has-a-long-way-to-go/