Santa Cruz Hotels Make Move to Solar Energy

January 29, 2007

Email this story Print this post Add your comments

Three Santa Cruz, California hotels are installing solar systems, Renewable Energy Access reports. A 22kW system installed on the Sunset Inn is up and running, and the Best Western Inn (20kW) and Best Western All Suites Inn (51kW) are awaiting final electrical tie-in with the grid.

All three projects, installed by Borrego Solar, take advantage of the California Energy Commission’s pilot Performance-Based Incentive program, which utilizes the Internet to track system production. The CEC will pay the owners 50 cents for each kWh produced by the system for the next three years, a total savings of over $140,000.

Since hotel guests are generally outside during the daytime (and not staying inside using air conditioning), the hotel will receive credit for the power created during the day at valuable peak rates. On nights and weekends, when the majority of their power is being used, the owners will pay far less at off-peak rates. This is possible through the Net Energy Metering program, offered by utilities like PG&E. The hotel installations are likely to pay for themselves within four years.

The Best Western All Suites installation was placed on the hotel roof via a custom aluminum SunLink racking system. This system tilts up the modules in short rows so that the entire array is low in profile and has a large power density. It is also designed to resist high wind and seismic loads while still being lightweight, at less than 4 pounds per square foot. Borrego Solar installed a total of 892 solar panels on the three buildings. The solar panels were manufactured by Sharp Solar.

Email this story Print this post Add your comments

Advertisers

Stay competitive through sustainability.

Find out how at the SAP Sustainability Resource Center. >>

Unclear about the EPA's new GHG Rule?

Learn how it could affect your business. >>

EPA mandatory emissions reporting starts Jan 1st

CSA Standards can help your organization get ready for compliance. Find out how. >>

Best Practices: Product Environmental Compliance

How to achieve compliance at a significantly lower cost. Download the full report. >>

Join the Discussion

Recent Daily News [ see all ]

11/20/2009
11/19/2009
11/18/2009

Charts [ see all ]

European Paper Industry Cuts CO2 Emissions by 42% since 1990

S. America Takes Most Urgent View of Copenhagen Talks

Nike Tops Annual Climate Action Scores

Oceans May Trap more Carbon than Forests

Jobs

View All Jobs >> Post a Job >>

Comments and Discussions

Trade Association on Trade Group on EPA Chemical Regs: ‘If Everything is a Priority, Then Nothing is a Priority’
"Seriously… that..."

Gary Markowitz on Supermarkets Tackle Emissions Reductions, Fuel Efficiency
"Supermarkets waste over 10 percent of their energy through improper..."

peter in ireland on Ontario May Follow California’s Lead on TV Energy Efficiency
"Governor Schwarzenegger is shooting himself in the foot! 1...."

Environmental Leader on S. America Takes Most Urgent View of Copenhagen Talks
"The survey respondents (the PDF report mentions 4,000 respondents in 38..."

Jake on UPS Trying New Hydraulic Hybrid Trucks
"A point of clarification: the Reuters press release referenced herein reports that 20 UPS will purchase..."

Custom Organic Shirts on S. America Takes Most Urgent View of Copenhagen Talks
"90% of North Americans believe it is urgent to get a global climate..."

peter dublin on California City’s Green Building Ordinance Applies to Commercial Buildings
"Why energy efficiebnt regulation on buildings –..."

Environmental Leader