Home Energy Management TownePlace Suites Hotel Adds Maryland’s Largest Solar Array

TownePlace Suites Hotel Adds Maryland’s Largest Solar Array

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CLINTON, MD.—The TownePlace Suites is located across Old Alexander Ferry Road from Joint Base Andrews. A large segment of the hotel’s guest base is military personnel on temporary duty at Joint Base Andrews. The hotel prides itself on providing a “home away from home” and an inviting atmosphere to support troops. Both as part of participating in the military’s mission expanding the use of renewable energy, and as a way to cut costs and maintain affordable rates, the hotel started looking into a solar photovoltaic energy system last year.

“We thought that solar would enhance our ability to offer a great hotel value to all our guests, especially our military guests and their families,” said Dr. John Miller, one of the hotel’s Managing Partners (along with Mark Rothman, Esq.) “Energy security is a big part of the military mission. We felt this was something we could do to enhance energy security and help the environment, while also giving us the ability to hold costs down.”

“Mark and I discussed the potential of a solar photovoltaic electricity generation project and after analyzing the numbers we decided to go ahead with the project,” Miller added. “We then contracted with Centurion Development Group, LLC to provide overall coordination of the project, along with Jeff Wolfe Consulting to coordinate the design, procurement of the system components and commissioning of the system.”

Demonstration of Leadership in Renewables

When asked about the project Rothman said, “Our TownePlace Suites by Marriott, a winner of numerous awards from Marriott including TownePlace Suites ‘Hotel of the Year’ in 2012, is pleased to take a leadership role in using renewable energy in the hotel industry.”

Jeff Wolfe, an international leader in solar energy stated, “We wanted high quality equipment, knowing that this system would serve as an exemplar project for many more systems throughout the country. We selected Trina Solar PV modules, Schletter racking, and Solectria inverters due to their long history of quality products and great service.”

The 706kW solar array, located on four acres adjacent to the hotel, will generate enough electricity to offset almost all of the electricity needed by the hotel. With additional conservation measures in place soon, the hotel will likely be 100 percent solar powered in the near future.

Joint Base Andrews Supports Project

“The support from Joint Base Andrews in this process has been great,” said Emily Wolf, Project Coordinator. “We always appreciate working with them, and see this as just one more way we are aligned with the base’s mission. We have had a great team on the project, including all the suppliers and consultants, and Evergreen Solar Services, our contractor.”

Speaking for EagleBank, which provided the financing for the project, Chairman and CEO Ron Paul commented, “This is a great project to show our support for a greener environment, while at the same time benefiting military personnel with lower hotel costs. We are proud to be involved.”

Trina Solar provided their new Duo-Max modules for the project. These modules have a longer warranty than traditional solar modules, and they provide enhanced fire safety, longer strings and withstand harsher climates. “This project offered an opportunity to showcase our best new product,” said Trina Solar US President Jeff Dorety. “Trina is proud to be a key partner in a project indirectly supporting our military.”

For more information about the project, contact Emily Wolf at ewolf@cmclodging.com. Also go to the TownePlace Suites by Marriott at Joint Base Andrews.

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