Commercial, Solar, Sourcing Renewables  -  July 12, 2018

High Hotels Ltd premieres first 100% solar powered U.S. Marriott

High Hotels Ltd. announced the installation of a $1.5-million solar array at its Courtyard by Marriott hotel in Lancaster, Pa. Once completed, the installation will make the 133-room hotel Marriott’s first branded location in the U.S. to generate 100% of its electricity needs from solar power.

A report in Renewable Energy Magazine noted, “It is believed to be the first solar array in the country installed for the sole purpose of generating 100% of the electricity needs of a hotel.” High Hotels, a Lancaster-based hotel owner and operator, is working in partnership with Marriott International Inc. to install the solar array, which consists of more than 2,700 ballasted photovoltaic panels and will produce more than 1.2 million kWh of power for the hotel. Any excess power will be sold to the utility.

"This is an exciting approach to addressing our energy needs that aligns very well with High’s commitment to environmental stewardship," said Russ Urban, president of High Hotels. "We’ve been advancing many environmentally responsible practices across our hotel portfolio, including converting the interior and exterior lighting at the Lancaster Courtyard to LED, which will lower electricity demand by 15 percent. Installing solar is another important step in this progression, and we will look to apply lessons from this as we expand our portfolio of premium select-service hotels."

The installation was completed with a $504,900 grant to High Hotels from the Commonwealth Financing Authority (CFA) through the Solar Energy Program.  Renewable Energy Manager reports that the project will receive a solar renewable energy credit, which will be conveyed to the CFA to provide the agency with more funds to offer grants in the future.

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