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Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide in partnership with NRG Energy, through its wholly-owned subsidiary NRG Renew, unveiled its first project to integrate clean sustainable energy at The Phoenician, a luxury Arizona resort. Featuring approximately 2,000 photovoltaic (PV) solar panels (712 Canadian Solar 280-W, and 1,230 Silevo 300-W), the 568 kilowatt (kWdc) solar installation will offset a portion of the Phoenician resort’s energy demand – an amount equivalent to the energy needs of approximately 90 homes. Racking is supplied by Sunora (modified Sunora frame) and inverters are SMA Tripower.
Core to the project was the design-driven approach – from panel placements, which work with the terrain to create airflow, to the structure’s accent colors that blend into the natural surroundings. In addition to its sustainability benefits, the panels also provide shading and outdoor event space, a coveted amenity during the hot desert summer months. The project illustrates how Starwood and NRG together are advancing clean energy in a way that is design-led and experiential for guests.
“At Starwood, sustainability is second nature, and our work with NRG Renew at The Phoenician exemplifies our commitment to that idea while also going the extra step to create a better world to experience,” said Ken Siegel, Chief Administrative Officer and General Counsel for Starwood and head of Global Citizenship. “In this project, we’ve integrated solar panels into the existing landscape in a subtle way so The Phoenician continues to complement its environment, maintaining its iconic views of Camelback Mountain while reducing its carbon footprint and helping us achieve our sustainability goals. We’ve set aggressive goals to reduce our energy consumption and carbon emissions by 30 percent and our water consumption by 20 percent by 2020, and this is one step in achieving those goals without sacrificing luxury.”
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“Starwood and NRG are totally aligned in our intention to embed sustainability into every aspect of our core business operations and we were very pleased to assist Starwood with an aesthetically sensitive, clean energy solution at an iconic property like The Phoenician,” said David Crane, NRG CEO.
This project is the first of several between NRG and Starwood. The partnership will also incorporate solar installations at The Westin St. John Resort in the U.S. Virgin Islands and The Westin Maui Resort & Spa, Ka’anapali.
Together, all three installations are expected to provide more than 2 megawatts (MWdc) of solar power. Both island installations are especially significant in their respective locations, as they will provide clean, efficient power that helps protect the pristine locations where our properties are located.
