In the modern hospitality sector, delivering a premium guest experience goes hand in hand with sustainable business practices. From thermal spa treatments and commercial kitchens to extensive conference facilities, 4-star venues require constant energy. For the Lough Rea Hotel & Spa in Co. Galway, pampering guests sustainably meant looking to their roof space for clean power generation.
Solgrid was appointed to design, supply, and commission a 62.79 kWp commercial solar PV system tailored to the hotel's energy profile. Comprising 138 Jinko Solar panels, the installation is anchored by a high-efficiency 50kW Fronius Tauro commercial inverter. As one of only six certified Fronius System Partners in Ireland, Solgrid brings elite engineering capability and direct supplier backing to every installation.
A Custom Energy Treatment
Hospitality power consumption differs significantly from standard commercial warehouses. Energy demand remains continuous from early morning kitchen preparations through late evening guest services. By deploying an East/West dual-orientation array angled at 15 degrees, Solgrid engineered the system to capture daylight across a wider window, flattening the generation curve to match the venue’s daily baseline.
The results demonstrate the effectiveness of this approach: of the 53,749 kWh generated annually, an incredible 97.7% is directly consumed on-site. This ensures almost all generated solar power immediately reduces dependence on imported grid electricity.
Project Highlights
62.79 kWp commercial rooftop solar PV installation in Loughrea, Co. Galway
138 Jinko Solar 455W modules paired with a Fronius Tauro inverter
Installed by Solgrid, one of only six certified Fronius System Partners in Ireland
97.7% self-consumption rate, maximising direct grid offset
20,398 kg annual CO₂ reduction supporting sustainability targets
Minimal Disruption in Delivery
When considering solar PV, hospitality operators often worry about potential disturbance to guests and daily routines. Solgrid’s SEAI-registered installation team planned every stage of logistics to ensure all mounting, lifting, and electrical work was completed safely and quietly, without disrupting venue operations.
By taking control of their energy supply, the Lough Rea Hotel & Spa now offsets over 20 tonnes of CO₂ emissions annually—proving that top-tier comfort and clean energy practices make a perfect match.
Lough Rea Hotel & Spa: Commercial Solar PV Case Study in Detail
1. Project Overview with Client Insight
Operating a luxury 4-star hospitality property requires substantial, around-the-clock energy. Venue facilities such as the Lough Rea Hotel & Spa in Co. Galway—home to the Shore Island Spa, extensive event suites, two restaurants, and 91 guest rooms—maintain continuous baseline energy loads. For hospitality management, controlling variable overheads without impacting guest comfort or daily operations is essential.
By taking control of their energy generation, the Lough Rea Hotel & Spa has treated its operational profile to a long-term sustainability upgrade. The newly installed commercial solar PV system generates clean, green power on-site, allowing the property to pamper its guests with luxurious, energy-intensive amenities while maintaining a reduced environmental footprint.
2. The Solar PV Solution
Solgrid engineered a high-yield 62.79 kWp rooftop solar PV solution calibrated to meet the property's high daytime electricity demand.
System Size (kWp): 62.79 kWp
Panels: 138 Jinko Solar 455 W
Inverter Brand/Model: Fronius Tauro 50-3-D
Annual Energy Production: 53,749 kWh/year
CO₂ Savings: 20,398 kg per annum
Self-Consumption Figure: 97.7%
Payback Period: 3 years, 1 month
Installation Details: 3D grid-connected rooftop solar PV installation
Roof Type: Flat Roof
Mounting System: Mounted - Roof (East/West dual-orientation array, 15° inclination)
Safety Systems: Integrated DC/AC protection via Fronius Tauro Inverter
Central to this engineering layout is the market-leading Fronius Tauro 50-3-D commercial inverter. As a certified Fronius System Partner—and one of only six accredited partner installers in Ireland—Solgrid delivers elite technical competence, direct manufacturer support, and flawless integration with world-class inverter hardware.
3. Installation Process
The installation was designed with a dual-orientation East/West layout set at a 15-degree tilt. This design flattens the solar generation curve, extending power production across the entire day to closely mirror the hotel's operational schedule from early morning kitchen prep to evening dining services.
Solgrid managed the complete delivery lifecycle, utilizing advanced 3D PV*SOL modeling to design the array layout. As an SEAI-registered commercial installer adhering to rigorous health & safety standards, Solgrid coordinated delivery and roof access around peak guest arrivals to ensure total safety and zero disruption to venue operations.
4. Results & Benefits
The rooftop system generates 53,749 kWh of clean power annually, with an exceptional 97.7% directly consumed on-site to run the hotel's electrical infrastructure.
Carbon Savings: 20,398 kg CO₂ saved per annum. 611,940 kg CO₂ saved over an estimated 30-year system lifetime.
Yearly Equivalencies:
- Trees Planted: 340 trees seedlings grown for 10 years
- Coal Saved: 10,100 kg per year of coal avoided
- Kilometres avoided: 81,500 km of petrol-car travel avoided
Financial Yield:
Internal Rate of Return (IRR): 37.06%
Pay Back Period: 3 years, 1 month
5. Why Solgrid
Solgrid is a trusted Irish commercial solar specialist, an SEAI-registered installer, an active member of the Solar Ireland, and one of only six certified Fronius System Partners in Ireland. We eliminate the pain points of transitioning to solar by handling grid connection permissions, SEAI grant administration, custom engineering, and safety compliance. Our turnkey delivery ensures business owners receive maximum yield and financial performance with minimal operational interference.
6. Customer Outcome Summary
Annual Generation: 53,749 kWh of clean electricity produced on-site
Self-Consumption Rate: 97.7% directly powering venue operations
Amortisation Period: Full payback in 3 years and 1 month
Internal Rate of Return: Strong financial yield with a 37.06% IRR
Environmental Impact: 20,398 kg of CO₂ emissions offset every year