Sustainability
was compatible and operationally, and that the reduced utility costs were going to drive increased profitability. We have managed to achieve this with IHG and Valor Hospitality at voco Zeal Exeter Science Park.
Why did you choose to incorporate vertical solar panels into the facade rather than relying solely on rooftop solar? Hotels are typically energy-intensive buildings with relatively limited rooftop space compared to their overall energy demands. At the voco Zeal Exeter Science Park hotel, even after reducing energy consumption by around two-thirds compared to conventional hotel buildings, it became clear that rooftop solar alone wouldn’t be enough to meet the building’s needs. To overcome this challenge, we partnered with solar specialist Your Eco, who helped us explore a more ambitious solution: installing vertical solar panels across three sides of the building’s facade. This approach significantly increased the surface area available for energy generation, enabling the hotel to generate approximately 320,000kWh of clean, renewable electricity per year – more than 100% of its annual energy needs.
Can you walk us through the key design principles you used and how they shaped the guest experience? Our design began with sustainable construction techniques, including specialised wall thickness and concrete composition to help maintain stable indoor temperatures. To further enhance energy efficiency and comfort, the hotel uses an air source heat pump alongside advanced adiabatic temperature control systems. These technologies optimise heating, cooling and ventilation, reducing reliance on traditional energy sources and maintaining a consistent, pleasant atmosphere year-round. Finally, the hotel’s wrap-around vertical solar panel facade and rooftop solar installations generate enough clean, renewable electricity to supply more than 100% of the building’s reduced energy load. Together, these design choices enabled us to create
a guest environment that is not only comfortable and quiet, but also deeply aligned with our commitment to sustainability – proving that environmental responsibility and high-quality hospitality can go hand in hand.
What were the biggest challenges in integrating the solar facade into the hotel’s architectural design and construction process? Integrating a vertical solar facade posed several unique challenges. Unlike rooftop systems, vertical installations are more affected by variable sun angles throughout the day and are more susceptible to shading from nearby buildings and landscape features.
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In traditional inverter systems, where solar panels are connected in series, shading or underperformance in a single panel can reduce the output of connected panels, significantly reducing energy generation. To address this, our partner Your Eco selected SolarEdge’s DC-optimised inverter technology. In this system, small devices called Power Optimisers are connected to each pair of panels, allowing them to work independently. This means that if some panels are shaded or not performing at their best, it doesn’t affect the output of the others, helping to maximise the overall energy generation and efficiency of the system. Beyond performance, the SolarEdge platform also
supports operational safety and reliability. Built-in features like SafeDC and Sense Connect monitor performance in real time and help detect and prevent issues such as arc faults – ensuring the system operates safely and efficiently over the long term. This integrated approach not only enabled us to meet our ambitious sustainability goals, but also delivered strong commercial outcomes, including projected energy cost savings of £200,000 per year and a return on investment within just 18 months.
With an expected £200,000 annual saving and 18-month ROI, how did financial performance factor into your sustainability decisions?
Financial performance was a key consideration from the outset. While our primary goal was to create a genuinely sustainable, net-zero hotel, we knew that to make this model scalable and appealing to investors and operators, it also had to deliver strong commercial returns. The projected £200,000 in annual energy cost savings and 18-month return-on-investment period clearly demonstrates that sustainability and profitability can go hand in hand. These numbers strengthen the business case for sustainable development – not just in hospitality, but across any energy-intensive sector. By making smart, future-focused decisions, such as investing in renewable energy systems and low- energy design, we’ve created a hotel that’s not only environmentally responsible but also financially resilient. This balance is what will drive long-term success and encourage wider adoption of net-zero models in the industry.
How important was it to demonstrate both environmental and economic returns in this project?
Demonstrating both environmental and economic returns was absolutely essential to this project. One of our core aims was to prove that sustainability doesn’t have to come at the expense of commercial performance – in fact, it can drive it. By showing that a net-zero hotel can deliver strong financial results alongside significant carbon savings, we’ve created a model that’s both environmentally and economically viable.
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Opposite: The voco Zeal Exeter Science Park hotel.
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