GOLDEN, Colo. — Novan Solar Inc. of Golden is installing one of the United States’ largest solar hot-water systems ever built for a hotel at the Hyatt Regency Scottsdale Resort and Spa at Gainey Ranch in Scottsdale, Ariz.
The Novan solar thermal system will provide hot water for the main laundry services room, as well as guest rooms and all the restaurants at the 492-room resort.
The 27-acre Hyatt Regency Scottsdale Resort and Spa features a 2.5-acre “water playground,” 27 holes of golf, Spa Avania, and the Native American and Environmental Learning Center as a part of the 560-acre Gainey Ranch resort and residential development in Scottsdale.
The 172-collector Novan solar system, projected to eventually reduce the resort’s energy use by half, is part of an energy reduction project designed by the Hartman Co., an engineering and design firm in Austin, Texas. The solar system has a 20,000-gallon storage tank — larger than currently required — that allows for a possible Phase 2 of the project that would double the current system size.
“This solar project is not simply an add-on system,” says Tom Hartman, president of the Hartman Co. “It represents a component of a major redesign of the resort’s hot-water infrastructure and modifying how the resort produces and utilizes hot-water resources.”
Due to the equipment’s energy savings, state utility incentives, and the federal Investment Tax Credit for renewable energy, the system will pay for itself in approximately three years, according to Novan.
The Novan solar water-heating system will generate nearly 31,600 therms (316 million Btu) of energy yearly. More than 156 metric tons of carbon dioxide (greenhouse gases) will be offset by the system each year — the equivalent of carbon sequestered by 133 acres of forest per year or more than 360 barrels of oil consumed yearly, Novan adds.
Arizona Pubic Service (APS), the local power utility, is partnering with the project through its Renewable Energy Incentive Program. This partnership will help the Hyatt achieve the approximate three-year payback on its investment by having APS purchase the Renewable Energy Certificates generated by the commercial DHW system. The solar project will be installed and operating by the end of this year.
“This project is in accordance with Hyatt Corp.’s global initiative of environmental consciousness and sustainability,” says Jennifer Schaff, director of engineering for the Hyatt Regency Scottsdale Resort and Spa. “This initiative encompasses building, designing and managing innovative and sustainable hotels, while protecting the natural environment and local communities in which we operate around the world.
“We have been told that we were the first resort in the country to have an environmental program including energy efficiency, waste minimization, environmental health and safety for employees, and environmental education for our guests.”
The Hyatt system will also feature the new Novan Spectrum commercial controller, which integrates with existing building management systems.
“Novan was chosen because of the stringent timeline and complexity of this project, and we are proud to be part of this groundbreaking project for the hotel industry,” says Jacob Futro, Novan founder and president. “Our new Spectrum controller is perfect for this type of project to maximize the solar performance.”
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