| A few generations ago, before booking an overnight | | | | costs over the first nine months. At the Comfort Inn |
| reservation, travelers would generally ask if a hotel | | | | La Estancia near San Diego, the management hoping |
| had a pool, cable TV and a bar. But today before | | | | to see similar savings once its 83 kilowatt |
| checking in, some savvy hotel guests are asking | | | | photovoltaic system is in place. |
| questions about air quality, water conservation and | | | | SOLAR MAKES SENSE |
| how often the housekeeping staff changes the | | | | Investing in solar power makes sense for many |
| towels and sheets. And they may already know the | | | | businesses. For the hospitality market it makes |
| answers. | | | | nothing but sense. Hotels and motels consume vast |
| Before choosing a destination, travelers can check | | | | amounts of energy. At large hotels and resorts |
| several online databases to see if a hotel or motel is | | | | hundreds of lights, air-conditioners and televisions burn |
| environmentally friendly. The lists are posted by | | | | fuel 24/7 and in many cases, guests aren't even in |
| different green lodging certification programs that | | | | the room. According to the federal government's |
| award green seals of approval to hotels, motels and | | | | Energy Star program, U.S. hotels spend an average |
| inns that qualify. | | | | of $2,196 per room each year on energy. |
| Touting environmental upgrades and innovations are | | | | A study by Sage Blossom Consulting of 4,400 of the |
| part of the greening of the hospitality market, an | | | | more than 50,000 hotels across the United States |
| industry evolution that is picking up some serious | | | | found 12 percent use some type of alternative |
| steam these days. The shift started slowly about 15 | | | | energy. And that figure is starting to rise as the |
| years ago, and there were no races among | | | | hospitality industry look for cheaper and greener |
| cost-conscious hoteliers to jump on the bandwagon. | | | | types of energy. Solar power is a perfect match for |
| Still, many chains and independent operators switched | | | | hotels and resorts that cater to tourists in Sunbelt |
| over to chemical-free cleaners, low-flush toilets and | | | | states. Florida and California are leading the hospitality |
| an every-other day change of linens and towels in | | | | industry in green initiatives. |
| order to earn their green seals. It was, after all, good | | | | Some hotel owners are even choosing to become |
| marketing. | | | | energy operators with solar energy systems that |
| Now, however, the hospitality industry is seen green | | | | collect power during sun's peak morning and |
| innovations in very practical terms - they save | | | | afternoon hours, the times when most guest are out |
| significant amounts of cash. And some of the major | | | | of their rooms. Hotels sell that energy to the grids |
| players in the market are no longer tinkering at the | | | | for peak daytime hour prices and then buy discount |
| edges of the green-lodging movement with organic | | | | evening-hour energy to power the A/C for returning |
| mini soaps and recycling bins. Some hotels are making | | | | guests. |
| major investments in solar power. | | | | INCENTIVES TO INVEST |
| SOLAR-POWERED DESTINATIONS | | | | For many in the hospitality industry, the roadblock to |
| The Hyatt Regency New Brunswick, NJ, recently | | | | buying into solar is the initial investment, which can be |
| installed a 32,000sf, 421-kilowatt system over the | | | | substantial. However, there are many loan programs, |
| top floor of the hotel's garage. According to Hyatt, | | | | grants rebates and tax credits available. The ticket |
| the new solar panels will reduce CO2 emissions by | | | | price for the photovoltaic system at the Hotel |
| 10,000 tons over the next 30 years, and will help | | | | Carlton was $163,951, but after rebates and tax |
| lessen oil dependence by at least 749 barrels annually. | | | | credits the net cost was only $13,727. |
| On the West Coast, San Francisco's Hotel Carlton is | | | | The Westin Westminster in Colorado has applied for |
| blazing the solar trail with a photovoltaic system that | | | | a federal grant and a rebate from Xcel energy to |
| produces about 12 percent of the building's electricity. | | | | help pay for the new 32-kilowatt solar energy |
| And solar energy isn't exclusive to higher end hotels. | | | | system that will help provide power to its 369 rooms. |
| Comfort Inn and Suites is also embracing solar and its | | | | Hotel owners and managers who have invested in |
| bottom-line benefits. | | | | solar say savings in energy costs start immediately. |
| The Comfort Inn in Bozeman, Montana has 24 solar | | | | And many expect to see a bump in reservations |
| panels heating up enough water to satisfy 65 percent | | | | thanks to the green travel and tourism guides that |
| of the hotel's hot-water needs. Management says | | | | let travelers know which hotels are making a |
| the panels saved the business $3,800 in natural gas | | | | commitment to the environment. |