MOUNT LAUREL, N.J.—The Wyndham Philadelphia-Mount Laurel is just a few weeks away from going “live” with its 756-kilowatt solar photovoltaic (PV) system on 10 carports in the hotel’s parking area. The carports cover 70 percent of the 400-vehicle parking space and were constructed—along with the solar panels—as part of a Power Purchase Agreement (PPA). The PPA was signed by the owners of the Wyndham hotel with US Solargy, Inc. US Solargy secured the financing for the system. US Solargy then placed the PPA with SolarMax Technology which financed and developed it. The owners of the hotel incurred no upfront costs; they will purchase electricity from SolarMax at a guaranteed rate for 15 years. The solar installation is expected to provide 50 percent of the electricity needed by the full-service, 245-room hotel.
Rishi Shah, general manager, whose family owns the hotel, said solar is something he had been researching for quite some time.
“A lot of what was driving this for me was personal interest,” he says. “We need to make some changes in how we do things. I have a 10-kilowatt system on my home.”
The solar system will help Shah predict cash flow as the rate he pays for electricity will only vary over the 15 years with inflation. Vendors are willing to offer PPAs because of the incentives available at the federal and state levels.
Almost Ready for Production
Shah says the solar system still has to pass inspection. The utility also has to transition to net metering, allowing the hotel to send electricity into the grid.
Shah, who believes the solar installation on the carports is the second largest of its kind in New Jersey, says his family had the land available for a non-carport installation but chose the carport route.
“A lot of our customers love this approach,” he says. “It has been a great process so far.”
The solar installation is just one of many green steps being taken at the hotel to reduce its environmental impact. Recycling is practiced throughout the hotel. Occupancy sensors power down heating and cooling in guestrooms when guests are not present. Compact fluorescents (CFLs) are used and Shah is currently evaluating LEDs to replace them. There is a composting program in place and a sensor on the trash compactor alerts Waste Management when it is full, ensuring the company does not make a trip to empty a partially full container.
Shah is on the Wyndham Green Advisory Board and frequently shares his experiences in energy, water and waste management with other Wyndham franchisees.
Go to the Wyndham Philadelphia-Mount Laurel.
