Historic Mexican hotel embraces solar: Balancing heritage and innovation
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| Type | Region | Products | Size |
|---|---|---|---|
| Commercial | Celaya, Guanajuato, Mexico | MI-1200, MI-700 | 45.045 kW |
Bringing solar power to a Celaya landmark
Hotel Mary in Celaya, Mexico, has proven that adopting modern solar technology doesn’t mean sacrificing historic charm.
Earning the Distinguished Award for Latin America in the 2023 Hoymiles Global Solar Project Contest, this ingenious project is a prime example of how, with a little creativity, heritage and solar technology can go hand in hand.
Read on to discover how Hotel Mary skillfully addressed the challenges of integrating high-performance solar technology into its historic architecture.
A view of the hotel’s roof with 30 Hoymiles microinverters, arranged carefully to optimize sunlight capture
Their Story
Commitment to sustainability and community
Hotel Mary, an integral part of Celaya’s community since the 1970s, faced rising energy costs that threatened its long-term sustainability. The hotel’s management recognized that transitioning to solar energy could reduce bills and align with their environmental values.
There were several motivating factors for choosing solar technology:
- A commitment to clean and sustainable energy sources
- The potential for long-term energy bill reduction
- A desire to reduce the hotel’s carbon footprint and contribute to the fight against global warming
A thorough cost-benefit analysis revealed that the initial investment would pay for itself in just three years, making solar an outstanding proposition from both an environmental and financial perspective.
Their Solution
Heritage meets cutting-edge technology
After surveying the hotel’s roof, the installers chose 29 Hoymiles MI-1200 microinverters and one MI-700 microinverter for this 45.045 kW capacity setup.
The installers were already well versed in Hoymiles microinverters, having used them for several previous projects.
In addition to their proven, rock-solid reliability, the installers noted how Hoymiles microinverters offer efficient, reliable communication and very low data consumption, essential for cost-effective system monitoring.
The solar equipment needed to be lifted carefully onto the building’s rooftop without damaging the building’s walls.
Overcoming installation challenges
Due to the rooftop’s shape and complexity, the installation team had to carefully plan the system’s design to maximize efficiency:
- Panels were strategically arranged to optimize sunlight capture.
- Solar tracking and smart shading technologies were implemented to enhance performance.
However, physically installing solar on the hotel’s roof posed a few other unique challenges.
The main issue? Lifting equipment to the rooftop without damaging the building’s iconic walls. The installers had to get creative:
- They used pulleys and ropes instead of cranes.
- A careful logistics plan involved manual lifting techniques.
- This approach safely transported all components to the rooftop.
The final installation was completed in full compliance with NOM-001-SEDE-2012, the Mexican electrical installation standard.
The installers established a “Zero Export” system, allowing the hotel to use the solar energy generated on site while local authorities processed the project paperwork.
This ensured that the hotel consumed all the energy produced directly, with no excess being sent back to the grid. In essence, it avoided compliance issues during the interim period before the system’s grid connection was fully approved.
Their Success
Hotel Mary’s innovative solar installation preserves its iconic 1970s character while projecting full ROI in just three years, demonstrating how historic buildings can successfully adopt solar technology.
A historic hotel powered by modern solar technology
Hotel Mary’s new solar system is already proving its worth. The system is projected to recoup the hotel’s investment in just three years, thanks to substantial reductions in energy bills.
The benefits go beyond financial savings, however. By embracing solar power, Hotel Mary has substantially reduced its carbon footprint, setting an example for other businesses in Celaya.
Hoymiles microinverters allow the owners to monitor their solar array in detail, ensuring peak performance and reliability for years to come.
Meanwhile, the “Zero Export” strategy smoothly transitioned the hotel to solar energy without disrupting its operations.
Impressively, the installation also preserved the hotel’s historic facade. From the street, there’s no indication that this 1970s landmark now hosts a cutting-edge solar array.
Overall, this fantastic solar project illustrates that even heritage buildings can adopt modern, sustainable solutions without compromising their character.
That’s a key reason it secured the Distinguished Award for Latin America in the 2023 Hoymiles Global Solar Project Contest.
