How Hotels can reduce their hot water cost's!
Report from SEI on Bewley's Hotel Dublin Airport Solar thermal system installation.
The installation of a solar water heating system in the Bewley’s Dublin Airport hotel took place during construction of the building in 2005/2006. The system comprises of 308 m2 of solar collectors and two 5,000 litre storage cylinders. The estimated cost of the solar system was €210,000, approximately 25% of this was obtained from SEI for the purchase and installation of the solar panels.
Based on hot water consumption in the other hotels in the group, an estimate was made for the daily demand for hot water (15-65 degrees Celsius), the hot water demand was 22,000 litres per day.
Based on the Irish climate and the maximum contribution from the solar energy, it was estimated that operating at optimal conditions, the solar system could provide approximately 40% of the hotels hot water requirements.
The Bewley’s hotel buildings at Dublin Airport face slightly east of pure south. As the effect on performance was minimal, the solar collectors were oriented parallel to the facade of the building and not directly south, for visual reasons. The solar collectors are located on the roof of the 7th storey building, while the storage cylinders, which are well insulated, are located in the basement adjacent to the main boiler system. Highly insulated pipes run from the solar collectors to the storage cylinders. The roof was of a design sufficient to support the weight of the collectors and supports. the collectors are also mounted on a steel frame support designed to meet wind loads at that height and location. The solar panel system pre-heats water for three 5,000 litre indirect gas heated cylinders which provide hot water for the hotel at all times.
-
Total project cost €210,000
-
SEI Grant €52,500
-
Annual fuel cost saving's €15,000
Total payback period 10 years
Click on thumbnails to enlarge