Rowton Hall Hotel and Spa in Chester is planning to go green with a move to convert its disused tennis courts into a solar farm. The hotel has submitted a request to the Cheshire West and Chester Council to develop what it terms as a 'low profile' ground-mounted solar array at the back of its property.
This sustainable energy venture will consist of 340 panels, which will span approximately 0.27 acres, resting on frames designed to lie close to the ground — aiming to ensure neighbouring properties remain unaffected visually.
According to the planning statement lodged by the hotel, this eco-conscious initiative is aimed at reducing on-site electricity reliance rather than exporting energy to the national grid.
The statement highlights: "The client wishes to offset some of their existing electrical consumption to increase energy security and thus protect the business from exposure to increasing grid-supplied costs and in the process provide future stability and profitability. The client is also keen to lower their carbon footprint, and they should be applauded for this motivation."
The hospitality sector, the report notes, was thrown into disarray following global developments that resulted in doubled electricity expenses. It says gaining autonomy over energy expenditures is crucial for the continual operation, growth, and eventual success of any business within the industry, reports .
The hotel, nestled on the edges of Rowton village and primarily bordered by agricultural land, is looking forward to a greener future. The report mentioned: "Instead of designing the installation over a two row-high array (3.3m high) it has been decided to utilise brand-new low-profile framing technology to provide an installation that sits no more than 350mm from the ground."
Furthermore, it highlighted that the setup would generate and consume up to 130,000 units of electricity annually at no cost, while simultaneously cutting carbon emissions by about 30 tonnes each year.
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