HARPERS FERRY, W. VA.—A little more than a year after the installation of 289 SolarWorld 285W modules on top of the back roof of the Clarion Inn Harpers Ferry, the solar photovoltaic installation is performing well, according to John Eliot, General Manager. “We have not had any maintenance issues and on an annual basis the modules are providing about 10 percent of the electricity we need.” The investment in solar by owner Family Adventure Resorts, LLC has helped lift the hotel to level 3 status as part of Choice Hotels International’s Room to be Green program. Eliot says the Clarion...

CANCUN, QUINTANA ROO—The TV channel “Fox Business” through its “Innovations with Ed. Begley Jr.” show recently broadcast the achievements in sustainability made by Sunset World Resorts & Vacation Experiences. During the broadcast they explained in detail the operation and procedures that Sunset World has implemented in order to protect and preserve the environment. The show also highlighted the environmental practices undertaken by the company’s flagship resort Hacienda Tres Ríos, which was planned from the ground up to limit its environmental impact. The resort was built off-site and then brought in to be assembled on top of concrete plates resting on...

SAUSALITO, CALIF.—Is a spa-like shower experience with 90 percent less water consumption and 80 percent less energy consumption possible in a hotel guestroom shower? According to shower system innovator Orbital Systems, it has proven to be very possible—thanks to founder Mehrdad Mahdjoubi’s work with the NASA Mars missions. The company that has U.S. offices in Sausalito, Calif. says it already has 45 installations, including some hotels. The U.S. version of the Oas shower will be available in mid-September. “When an Orbital is recycling the water, it goes into a receptacle that analyzes the purity of the water. That purity is...

WEST CALDWELL, N.J.—Providing superior light quality and performance, MaxLite introduces flicker-free LED T8 Lamps as a long-lasting, energy-efficient replacement for fluorescent tubes in offices, classrooms and other commercial and educational applications. The lamps deliver smooth and flicker-free light without the distractions, eyestrain and headaches commonly associated with fluorescent light sources. Designed to retrofit linear fixtures with standard G13 (medium bi-pin) sockets using a simple ballast bypass, the UL Type B lamps operate with a dedicated internal driver for optimal performance and reliability. The lamps are DesignLights Consortium (DLC) listed and qualify for nationwide utility rebates, enabling school districts, universities and...

PERTH, WESTERN AUSTRALIA—Honeywell successfully implemented its networked Building Management and Energy Management Systems at the new Crown Towers Hotel, which is an expansion of the Crown complex in Perth, Australia. The Honeywell Enterprise Building Integrator (EBI) and Building Management System (BMS) are integrated with Honeywell’s INNCOM guestroom Energy Management System (EMS) to optimize enterprise building controls, improve energy efficiency, and coordinate access controls, lighting and drapes. The INNCOM system is also implemented at Crown Perth’s Promenade Hotel. At the recently completed Crown Towers, Honeywell provided all Building Management System (BMS), guestroom management (GRMS), security and access control, dry fire, and...

ODESSA, FLA.—Hasek Communications, the Odessa, Fla.-based publisher of Green Lodging News, welcomes Solar America Solutions as a Founding Sponsor. Solar America Solutions offers affordable solar thermal energy to hotel facilities and operations. The company’s SunQuest 250 easily retrofits into almost any existing hot water or space heat system and is proven to work extremely well in cloudy and cold conditions. Third generation and patented SunQuest 250 solar thermal collectors are 96% efficient and are a mechanically simple system with only one moving part. Solar America Solutions’ solar collectors are warranted for 10 years against 1″ hail and 150 MPH winds...

LAS VEGAS—In 2016, Caesars Entertainment Corp. introduced the gaming and entertainment industry’s most aggressive carbon reduction targets, secured Triple A scores in three CDP rankings and, with its related entities, delivered $5.7m of contributed societal value for every $10m in gross revenue, almost triple the estimated average of U.S. corporations. The company’s eighth annual Corporate Citizenship Report, entitled “People Planet Play,” which covers 2016 and select content from the first half of 2017, details Caesars’ sustained progress and leadership across its many corporate social responsibility initiatives. People Planet Play is Caesars’ new platform that clearly communicates citizenship at all levels of...

HONG KONG—Swire Hotels announce recent measures dedicated to developing sustainable and environmentally friendly hotels at EAST Hong Kong, Beijing and Miami. Swire Hotels is committed to making a positive impact on the environment through implementing new and innovative programs to strengthen the priority given to the sustainable operation of its hotels. These measures form part of the new sustainable development strategy launched by Swire Properties, Swire Hotels’ parent company. Swire Properties developed this new strategy with vision of becoming the leading sustainable development performer in its industry globally by 2030. Under this new strategy, Swire Properties identifies and manages the...

ODESSA, FLA.—Hasek Communications, the Odessa, Fla.-based publisher of Green Lodging News, has added an Electrolux Professional case study to its website. The case study details the installation of Electrolux Professional high-spin washers, Electrolux Professional dryers, and a flatwork ironer at the Hotel Healdsburg in Healdsburg, Calif. Electrolux high-spin washers provide water and energy savings, higher productivity, and superior wash results. Electrolux Professional dryers offer faster drying, less gas consumption, and no over-drying. The flatwork ironer makes crisp sheets and perfectly pressed table linens easy. “In the hotel business, the laundry is the third largest energy consuming area,” says Paolo Petron,...

HANCOCK, MASS.—In 2007, when Jiminy Peak installed a $4 million 1.5 megawatt (MW) wind turbine on the western flank of its mountain, many thought the 70-year-old resort was taking a huge financial risk. Last month, 10 years after the switch was thrown, Brian Fairbank, Chairman of The Fairbank Group that runs the resort, looks back at a risk worth taking. The 253-ft. high turbine paid for itself in seven years, and today, combined with a 12-acre 2.3 megawatt (MW) solar field and 75 kWh cogeneration unit at the slopeside Country Inn at Jiminy Peak, the resort can claim to be...