Home Energy Management Sugar Hill Harlem Inn Goes Solar to Chop Electricity Costs in Half

Sugar Hill Harlem Inn Goes Solar to Chop Electricity Costs in Half

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NEW YORK—The Sugar Hill Harlem Inn, housed in a historic building more than 100 years old, is finalizing the installation of 18 solar panels on its roof. Jeremy Archer, owner of the five-room inn, expects the panels to supply one-half of the building’s electricity needs. The panels cost the inn $17,000 but a grant from the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) covered one-third of the costs. A low-interest loan from New York City’s Neighborhood Housing Services also is helping to defray the expenses.

Archer says part of the requirement for obtaining the NYSERDA grant was that the roof be exposed to the sun from at least 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. The building passed that test. He says that it has been a challenge getting all of the proper approvals and adds that the project would have cost thousands more if he started today because of new permit and inspection requirements initiated by Con Edison, the area’s local utility company.

The Sugar Hill Harlem Inn, according to Archer, is the first bed and breakfast in New York City to go solar. He is hoping that the step will result in new business and positive publicity.

“I expect the installation to help bring in more clientele—those who prefer to be in an inn that uses renewable energy,” Archer says.

Go to the Sugar Hill Harlem Inn.

Glenn Hasek can be reached at editor@greenlodgingnews.com.

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