Hotel Carlton is San Francisco’s First Solar-Powered Hotel

San Francisco’s Hotel Carlton is utilizing solar power facilities in order to offset the property’s energy use. Previously certified as an “official Green Business” by the city of San Francisco for several sustainability-focused initiatives, The 161-room Hotel Carlton boutique hotel, managed by Joie de Vivre Hospitality and located on lower Nob Hill at 1075 Sutter Street, has engaged a wide variety of environmentally-responsible practices. Hotel Carlton’s daily operations comply with all voluntary environmental regulations that conserve natural resources, prevent pollution and reduce waste.

Management had previously instituted processes that adopted environmentally-friendly non-chemical cleaning products, recycled paper, and soy-based inks, plus a comprehensive recycling program in guestrooms and hotel operations. Motion light detectors in guestroom closets along with low flow showerheads and toilets conserve energy and water. Organic products are featured in Saha, the hotel’s Arabic-fusion restaurant, and the soda machine has been replaced with a complimentary filtered water machine that also helps cut down on bottled water use.

Hotel Carlton partnered with San Francisco-based Sunlight Electric to install 105 solar panels covering 1,332 square feet on the hotel’s roof. The solar array is expected to reduce the hotel’s electricity usage by 12 percent, reduce the release of carbon into the environment by 33,000 pounds per year and save 4.5 acres of trees per year. Through a computer monitor stationed at the hotel’s front desk, guests will be able to monitor the total kilowatt energy generated by the solar power system. The balance of the energy used is being offset through the hotel’s participation with Carbonfund.org, making Hotel Carlton’s entire operation carbon-neutral.

Hotel Carlton