Mar 17 2014
The Westin Dawn Beach Resort & Spa, St. Maarten, as part of the Westin brand, is known as a game-changer in the hospitality industry, from the introduction of its Heavenly bed and SuperFoodsRx, to a totally smoke-free environment and mood-lifting botanicals in public spaces. Now, the resort has extended the wellness concept to the planet by completing a solar installation that allows the resort to produce six to eight hours of its own power during peak times.
Westin St. Maarten Dawn Beach Resort & Spa completes solar project allowing it to produce its own energy for six to eight hours daily. (Photo: Business Wire)
The Westin Dawn Beach Resort & Spa is not only the first Westin hotel or resort in the world -- but also the only major resort in the Caribbean -- to complete and utilize solar panels to replace its energy consumption throughout the resort.
The resort began taking advantage of the island's abundance of sunshine in 2007 with the installation of solar panels to heat the water used in the property's guest rooms.
The resort's owner, Columbia Sussex Corporation, working with OneWorld Sustainable, has completed the installation of 2,602 Lightway solar panels for a total system capacity of 755 kilowatts.
The completed solar system will produce approximately 1,223,000 Kilowatt hours per year. This is enough electricity to power 111 average sized American homes. The system will avoid 1.9 million pounds of carbon dioxide emissions or the equivalent of CO2 emissions from energy used by 43 homes annually, or 707 acres of forest preserved from deforestation by carbon sequestering.
To install the panels and mounting hardware, OneWorld Sustainable worked with a local St. Maarten company whose employees provided valuable assistance during the three month-long project. OneWorld Sustainable's President, Tim Blackwell, states, "In very few places around the world does it make better sense to utilize the power of the sun to generate electricity than in the Caribbean."
Dan Szydlowski, Regional Director, states, "With sunshine nearly guaranteed year round, we saw only positive attributes to making this capital and environmental sustainability investment.
About the Westin Dawn Beach Resort & Spa, St. Maarten
Situated along the southeastern shore of St. Maarten, the 317-room Westin Dawn Beach Resort & Spa, St. Maarten reflects the relaxed elegance and beauty of the Caribbean surrounded by endless miles of sparkling blue water, acres of tropical foliage and sprawling white beaches. The Westin is one of the largest upscale resorts in the Netherlands-governed province with its exquisite guestrooms (140 ocean front; 39 ocean view and 138 resort or island view), 99 luxury condominiums and six suites (including three Presidential Oceanfront Suites and three Parlor Suites), a full-service European-style Hibiscus spa, fitness room, on-site casino, nearly 20,000 square feet of flexible function space, several retail shops, the largest infinity pool on the island and endless water sports activities, creating a haven of relaxation and recreation. Guests have the choice of five oceanfront restaurants, including a fine dining restaurant, poolside caf¨¦, lobby and pool bar and room service to satisfy any appetite. Whether to relax and rejuvenate all day or play into the night the Westin Dawn Beach Resort & Spa, St. Maarten provides a blissful escape and true Caribbean holiday experience like no other. For more information please call 1-721-543-6700 or visit www.westinstmaaarten.com.
About OneWorld Sustainable
Since 2002, OneWorld Sustainable has been providing solar energy and energy efficiency products and services for industrial, commercial, and residential clientele throughout the U.S. and beyond. Considered a forerunner in the industry, OneWorld Sustainable's leadership team has been involved in the renewable energy field for decades and has a combined total of over 50 years of experience in solar energy and energy efficiency. OneWorld Sustainable is responsible for the development of a southeast regional, U.S.-based solar schools program, which is designed to encourage student interest in environmental and social sustainability issues. This initiative began as a pilot project in 2003 and has since grown to include over 60 public middle and high schools throughout Georgia and South Carolina. OneWorld Sustainable's international outreach initiative includes the installation of small solar home PV systems throughout East Africa. Since 2004, they've worked with Africa©\based companies to deliver electricity to marginalized and disconnected families, organizations, and communities in Kenya, South Sudan, Uganda, and Tanzania.