MEMPHIS, TENN.—Memphis-based Cooper Hotels, the largest multi-unit operator of hotels in Tennessee, announced the completion of the installation of a solar thermal system at the company’s Hilton Knoxville Airport hotel. The emissions-free, completely silent system provides energy to heat almost 2,000 gallons of water per day for the five-story, 238-room hotel. In addition to being pollution-free and helping to reduce global warming, the new system also helps to preserve natural gas resources.
“Cooper Hotels is committed to creating more sustainable lodging in Tennessee,” said Pace Cooper, Cooper Hotels’ president and CEO. “In addition to the Hilton Knoxville Airport solar project, our DoubleTree hotels in Oak Ridge, Murfreesboro and Memphis were the first hotels in their respective cities to be certified “green” properties by the Tennessee Hospitality Association.”
According to Cooper, all Tennessee hotel owners should participate in environmental programs and take advantage of the financial benefits of operating sustainable hotels with clean energy technologies. In a short time, the solar thermal systems pay for themselves in power cost savings. Since hotels use substantial amounts of hot water, solar energy is ideal to replace conventional gas and power sources, Cooper noted.
FLS Energy of Asheville, N.C., was selected by Cooper Hotels to design, install, monitor and maintain the 40-panel hot water system. “Cooper Hotels is to be commended for their commitment to sustainability,” said Michael Shore, CEO, FLS Energy. “FLS Energy is proud to work with a company that is raising the bar for all within the hospitality industry.” The solar hot water system will generate more than 408 billion BTUs per year and reduce the hotel’s annual carbon emissions by 24 tons.
Hilton Knoxville Airport’s solar thermal system was funded in part by a Tennessee Clean Energy Technology (TN-CET) grant through the Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development.
Go to FLS Energy and Cooper Hotels.
