The Sligo Park Hotel has announced that it has completed the installation of a new photovoltaic (PV) solar panel array on the facility’s roof – a move that is expected to cut the hotel’s energy bills by more than €25,000 annually and significantly reduce its carbon emissions.
JV Tierney & Co. Consulting Engineers engaged Cool Air Ltd to instal 400 PV solar panels across 13,000 square feet of the building’s roof between June and August of this year.
However, the PV solar panels only began contributing to the hotel’s energy use last month, after being commissioned by the ESB.
“Hospitality is an energy-intensive industry,” said Gerard Moore, the director and general manager at Sligo Park Hotel.
“That’s why we are always exploring ways in which we can reduce the impact of the Sligo Park on the environment, whether that’s through the reduction of emissions by installing solar panels or facilitating the local ecosystem’s rich and diverse biodiversity through the provision of bug hotels and willow domes.”
Cool Air estimates that the installation of PV solar energy infrastructure will cut the hotel’s annual emissions by more than 47 metric tonnes of CO2. In terms of the reduction in atmospheric carbon, the total is the equivalent of planting 1,869 new trees every year.
While the PV solar panels contribute less during the winter months, it is estimated that solar energy will make up 35-45% of the hotel’s overall electricity usage during the April-to-September period. The average contribution across the year is projected to be more than 20%, leading to an annual saving of €25,000 on the hotel’s energy bills.
“We are delighted that our significant capital investment in solar panel infrastructure is paying dividends, in terms of contributing to our energy usage and reducing our reliance on fossil fuels,” said Moore.
The PV solar panels are the latest measure introduced by the hotel’s management to reduce the impact of the facility’s operations on the environment.
Earlier this year, the Sligo Park Hotel opened a bug hotel and willow dome on its grounds, with the aim of providing nesting sites for insects and other wildlife, and educating young guests about the vital role of pollinators in the local ecosystem.
“Our focus is not only on the here and now, but also on ensuring the future is viable for generations to come,” said Moore.
