Hotels do not have the luxury of choosing between comfort and cost. Air conditioning, hot water, lighting, elevators, kitchens, laundry, and guest amenities all play a role in delivering a strong guest experience — but they also contribute to rising electricity expenses.
Over the last several years, hotel operators have faced a difficult mix of occupancy swings, utility rate increases, and growing electricity demand. That makes controlling energy costs more important than ever.
Traditional energy solutions can help, but they often come with tradeoffs. Community solar may offer a simpler path for hotels in eligible markets.
Rethinking Energy Strategies for Hotels
Energy Efficiency Upgrades
Quick Take
Pros: Reduces consumption directly.
Cons: Can require capital investment, onsite work, equipment changes, or access to guest spaces.
The first instinct for reducing electricity costs is often to reduce usage. Energy efficiency upgrades can be effective, but implementation may be more complex than expected.
Projects may require access to guest rooms, equipment rooms, or shared spaces. For hotels that rely on high occupancy, consistent comfort, and strong reviews, even short-term disruption can create operational and financial concerns.
Efficiency upgrades may still be worthwhile, but limited budgets and competing investment priorities can lead operators to look for savings options that are easier to execute.
Onsite Solar Systems
Quick Take
Pros: Generates energy onsite and creates a visible sustainability commitment.
Cons: Capital intensive, requires installation, and can take more than a year from contracting to operation.
Onsite solar can be a strong option for some hotel properties, especially those with available roof space or land. But many hotels face constraints that make onsite projects difficult.
Limited roof space, lease arrangements, brand standards, construction timelines, and operational complexity can all become barriers.
Even when onsite solar is feasible, the planning and construction process can be lengthy, shifting attention away from other priorities with faster returns.
Why Community Solar May Be a Strong Fit
Community solar gives hotels a way to benefit from solar energy without installing panels onsite.
Community Solar Snapshot
Pros: No upfront costs, no onsite installation, and typical savings often between 10% and 15%.
Cons: Only available in certain states and utility territories.
Community solar projects partner with electric customers located within the same utility territory. Once enrolled, your hotel receives bill credits tied to a share of the solar project’s monthly generation.
The key advantage is that savings no longer depend on your roof space, ownership structure, available capital, or ability to manage construction.
Instead, the opportunity is based on your electricity usage and whether an eligible community solar project is available in your market.
Why This Matters for Hotel Operators
Hotels often need solutions that are simple, low-disruption, and financially practical.
Community solar can fit that need because it does not require changing how guests experience the property. There is no equipment installation, no room access, and no construction timeline.
For eligible hotels, the process can be much closer to an electricity savings program than a capital project.
How to Know What Community Solar Can Do for Your Hotel
While community solar can be simple once enrolled, knowing where to start can still feel overwhelming.
Turquoise Trail helps hotel owners and operators evaluate eligibility, estimate potential electricity savings, and understand which options may fit their property.
If community solar is a good fit, we work with pre-vetted community solar partners to help support a smooth enrollment process.
For hotels looking to take more control over electricity expenses without disrupting daily operations, community solar may be worth exploring.