TECHNOLOGY
Boosted CSR and brand perception By installing solar panels on sites across its premises, a hospitality business can clearly demonstrate its commitment to sustainability and boost its green credentials. This can then positively influence consumer perceptions of a brand, potentially leading to more customers.
Increased property value A hospitality business can also increase the overall value of its property portfolio, as should a company wish to sell, having solar panels on multiple premises can make the estate a more attractive asset to investors.
Multi-Site Solar and Geo Green Power To ensure a hospitality group gets the maximum benefit for its operations, rolling out a multi-site solar installation is something that requires specialist support.
One such provider is Geo Green Power and here the firm’ s Communications and Projects Director, Kat Auckland, explains their process:
“ We take an estate-wide approach, rather than working on single sites one-by-one. Then, with a holistic perspective, we can advise on the best course of action.
“ As an example, if there’ s a large national restaurant chain with 100 sites, we would assess each location for suitability to then create a rollout plan which is both cost-effective and one which will maximise the solar potential of the whole estate.
“ Across these 100 sites, it might be the case that 75 % would be viable for solar, at which point we would recommend a series of‘ trial sites’. This sees a dedicated team surveying, designing and facilitating installations on a select number of sites, to demonstrate the best practices for hospitality businesses and to show them the tangible benefits of an installation, ahead of a full rollout.
“ From a financial perspective, it’ s worth highlighting that businesses can also opt for‘ Power Purchase Agreements’ or‘ PPAs’. These purchase agreements will see a third-party finance the solar panel installation( s) and the business is then‘ sub-metered’ for the energy they produce and this then pays for the PPA fund. This can be an effective means of making a multi-site rollout more affordable.
“ We’ ve successfully rolled-out multi-site solar projects for major hospitality brands like Mitchells and Butler, Moto and Savoy. What’ s more, our experience and nationwide teams means we can also facilitate the full delivery and installation of both ground-mounted and roof-mounted solar panel systems.
“ We always ensure the installations are also safely done around a business’ operations, so there’ s minimal disruption to any day-to-day commercial activity.”
Next Steps with Multi-Site Solar It’ s no secret that the hospitality sector is one with some of the highest energy demands. In fact, a recent study by AMA Research, its“ Non-Domestic Rooftop Solar PV Market Report UK 2023-2027”, showed that chains with bars and restaurants face the biggest drains, with cooking and cool storage accounting for upwards of 80 % of their total energy use.
Ultimately, when a hospitality group invests in multisite solar it isn’ t just about finding a new energy solution. The reality today is that it’ s a smart and strategic investment that can bring cost-savings, enhance a brand’ s green credentials and help futureproof its operations.
Any businesses considering multi-site solar with their estate can contact Geo Green Power.
info @ geogreenpower. com + 44( 0) 800 988 3188 www. geogreenpower. com
- 157-