Hotel car charging station fuelled by solar power

The Schwartz Hotel Group has transformed the rooftop of the Mercure Sydney into a major solar energy receptor, which is set to produce renewable energy for the hotel’s operation and help reduce its carbon emissions.

Mercure Sydney General Manager Daniel Barnard said the 517-room hotel consumes considerable amounts of energy, so the company is constantly looking for new ways to reduce its carbon footprint.

“The Mercure is often catering for up to 1000 guests a day, so we will always be an energy-intensive operation,” he said.

“We have been working hard to reduce energy consumption and waste, and the installation of the new micro inverter solar energy system will have a dramatic impact on our emissions.”

Renewable energy group earthconnect installed the system, which comprises 357 panels covering 88% of the rooftop of the Mercure Sydney. The 96.39 kW solar energy system will provide the Mercure with approximately 146 MWh of renewable energy annually, contributing to an annual reduction of 155,658 kg of greenhouse gas emissions.

The solar installation comes as part of a coordinated program of environmental initiatives by hotel owner Schwartz Family Company (SFC). The Mercure Sydney joins other SFC properties Crowne Plaza Hunter Valley, Fairmont Resort, Rydges Central Sydney, Cessnock Airport Hotel, the Leura Golf Course and Lovedale Brewery in introducing major solar power units.

The installation will also help power the Mercure Sydney’s electric car charging station, which is available free to guests in the car park. It was one of the first hotels in Sydney to install an in-house electric car charging station, with car charging facilities also available at Schwartz hotels including the Crowne Plaza Hunter Valley, Fairmont Resort and Mercure Canberra.

“The provision of free charging for battery-powered cars has been very well received,” said Barnard. “Getting anything free is unexpected these days, but the initiative has been particularly popular with country visitors as they want to be assured they can easily recharge their cars so they can get around the city and then get back home.”

A car being charged at the Mercure Sydney.

“There’s little point encouraging the use of electric cars if they can’t be charged,” added SFC Director Dr Jerry Schwartz.

“Use of electric vehicles is still in its infancy, but if people are aware they can drive between Sydney, the Hunter Valley, the Blue Mountains and Canberra and recharge their vehicles for free, it provides added incentive to make the switch. We receive many positive reviews from guests because of our environmental initiatives, so clearly being green can also produce gold.

“This is a small step, but an important one because Australian tourism should be at the vanguard of promoting environmental sustainability.”

Top image caption: The new solar installation on the rooftop of the Mercure Sydney helps power its electric car charging station.