Clean energy for a sustainable future: Analysis of a PV system and LED bulbs in a hotel

Abstract

Scholars are increasingly prioritising sustainability as the driving force behind their research efforts, and many businesses are placing the customer at the centre of their agendas. Hospitality facilities, such as hotels, are also making concerted efforts to mitigate climate change. The present study proposed a sustainability analysis of the installation of a photovoltaic (PV) system and the replacement of conventional lighting with light emitting diode (LED) bulbs in a hotel, considering economic, environmental and social sustainability dimensions.The results showed that NPV varied between 967 and 3624 €/kW for the PV system, with a 100 % probability of achieving a positive NPV in a high market scenario and a 79–84 % probability of the same in a low market scenario. Concerning energy efficiency, the adoption of LED bulbs determined a NPV in the range of 105–216 €/bulb. These figures were highly dependent on the percentage of self-consumed energy and the purchase price of electricity. Environmental analyses indicated that the installation of a PV system could lead to an emissions reduction of 422 gCO2eq/kWh, translating to 61 tCO2eq/year. In addition, social analyses underscored the significance of renewable installations and energy-efficiency interventions to support the ecological transition. However, consumer choices within hotels did not consistently align with sustainable models. Notably, a green premium of 13.2 €/day was recognised for hotels using renewable systems, and 8.3 €/day for those using smart lighting. The results advocate for a pragmatic sustainability model that sees green investments enhancing a hotel's sustainability. However, a shift in consumer attitudes is necessary to fully realise this potential.