NATIONAL REPORT—Sustainability is becoming increasingly popular across the country as people learn more about this concept. It’s become so widespread that the government encourages industries and individuals alike to change their ways and become greener through more sustainable practices. There are numerous ways to lead a more eco-conscious lifestyle, such as recycling, utilizing innovative green technology, and most importantly, going completely solar. Solar energy is starting to become the norm for many industries, including hotels. While the upfront cost may seem expensive, there are plenty of government grants provided to encourage affordable movements in this direction. Here is a guide on how hotels can utilize these grants to become more sustainable.
Why Does the Government Want to Give Solar Grants?
Due to high energy consumption, solar energy is being encouraged in this country every day. On average, the United States consumes about 97.33 quadrillion British thermal units (BTU) of energy per year. Out of this number, 35 percent is consumed by the industrial sectors alone. Therefore the U.S. is offering incentives and other grants that will push industries, especially the hotel industry, toward a greener direction. Hotels use a lot of energy daily. On average, the 47,000 hotels in the U.S. spend over $2,000 per available room on energy alone. This means that hotels and motels use an average of 14 kilowatt-hours of electricity and 49 cubic feet of natural gas per foot annually.
Where to Find Solar Grants?
There are a few places you can find and register to receive solar grants from the government. The first and most common site is the Office of Energy Efficiency & Renewable Energy. This site provides information about funds that will be allocated to businesses, such as hotels, to attain solar energy. Within this resource, a business can select which grant they think would best accommodate their needs. For instance, there is the Tribal Energy Program, which helps Native Americans on tribal lands become more sustainable through solar grants. For hotels, one grant fits perfectly for this industry sector.
The Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Grant (EERE) does not apply to everyday residential homes, but to businesses, schools, nonprofits, and more. This grant has a $2,500 minimum to $250,000 maximum and can cover at least 25 percent of the total cost of installation. Evidently, a hotel can easily install a reliable solar system that is certain to power its entire operation. However, it can be a lengthy application process.
- You must download and register from the EERE Exchange so you can send in the concept papers. These papers are a way for the applicants to receive word if they are “encouraged” or “discouraged” from submitting a full application.
- Once you are “encouraged” to proceed, you must submit a full application. The EERE shares their comments on the applications and the applicant must submit their replies to the EERE’s comments.
- The EERE then chooses who they will proceed to further negotiations with within the application pool.
- The EERE will then negotiate with you to decide how much they will award/grant for your solar project. This is also the stage where the applicant and EERE share the schedule, budget, and project milestones to find common ground.
- The EERE will approve the project work and will help oversee it until the job gets done. This will ensure the project runs smoothly and the hotel/business becomes more sustainable.
How Can the Hotel Industry Utilize These Grants?
The hotel industry can utilize these grants by installing solar panels. Solar panels are a highly beneficial solution to more eco-conscious operations within the hospitality industry and can be easy to install with the right resources. Solar panels produce around 20 times less carbon than coal-powered electricity, providing an energy efficiency rating between 11 percent to 15 percent. These benefits are substantial as not only do solar panels help protect the environment, but they also provide long-term economic relief through energy bill savings.
The Courtyard by Marriott Lancaster set the stage for a 100 percent solar-powered hotel, installing 2,700 solar panels. The project came to a total of 1.5 million dollars which was supplemented by a $504,900 grant from the Commonwealth Financing Authority—demonstrating the impact these valuable assistance programs can have. The solar-powered hotel also features a meter display in the lobby, providing guests an opportunity to engage with this system’s benefits and ideally, encourage the adoption of solar panels for residential properties as well.
Conclusion
The hotel industry should jump at this opportunity as quickly as it can. The government is providing a way for these buildings to become eco-friendly and become efficient in saving money. By following this guide, hotels should be able to easily find these grants and go in a greener direction that will be beneficial to all parties involved.
