4.09.2008 - 11:00am ET

One of two new solar arrays powering Hotel Carlton

(CSRwire) SAN FRANCISCO – April 9, 2008 – The Hotel Carlton in San Francisco, certified as an official Green Business due to several initiatives over the past year to implement sustainable business operations, is celebrating its newest green achievement – the adoption of solar power to offset the hotel's energy use. Managed by Joie de Vivre Hospitality, Hotel Carlton is the first hotel in San Francisco to install solar panels and the first of the boutique hotel company’s properties to receive the City's Green Business certification. In honor of Earth Day and a greener future, Hotel Carlton will host a reception event on April 21 at 3:00pm, featuring an official 'flip of the switch' to solar power.

"The operational changes we've made along with the new solar array will lessen the environmental impact of the hotel," said Pamela Flank, General Manager of the Hotel Carlton. "We are proud to have met the strict San Francisco Green Business certification standards so that we can offer an environmentally-sustainable experience to our guests, our employees and the community."

The 161-room boutique hotel located on lower Nob Hill has adopted a wide variety of environmentally-responsible practices, and the hotel's operations comply with all voluntary environmental regulations that conserve natural resources, prevent pollution and reduce waste. The hotel uses environmentally-friendly non-chemical cleaning products, recycled paper, and soy-based inks, plus a comprehensive recycling program in guest rooms and hotel operations. Motion light detectors in guest room closets along with low flow shower heads 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 hotel's electricity usage by 12%, reduce the release of carbon into the environment by 33,000 lbs. 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.

An event to be held on April 21 from 3:00 – 4:30pm in the Hotel Carlton's Saha Restaurant will feature guided tours of the solar panel array, information about solar power and green hotel operations, as well as an official ribbon cutting and 'flip of the switch' that will launch the Hotel to a greener future. Local wines and cheeses that were produced using solar power will be served and attendees will have the chance to ask questions of solar and environmental experts. The Hotel Carlton is located at 1075 Sutter Street in San Francisco.

About Joie de Vivre Hospitality

Based in San Francisco, Joie de Vivre Hospitality (www.jdvhotels.com) is a creative collection of lifestyle businesses. As California's largest independent boutique hotelier, Joie de Vivre encompasses other hospitality businesses such as restaurants and spas. Celebrating 20 years of creating dreams, Joie de Vivre Hospitality is expanding its California presence in Sacramento, Oakland, San Francisco, Santa Cruz, Sunnyvale, Huntington Beach and beyond.

About Sunlight Electric

Sunlight Electric (www.sunlightelectric.com) is the San Francisco Bay Area's premier designer and retailer of commercial photovoltaic systems. With over 1 million watts of solar generating capacity installed to date – and the most winery solar power systems in Napa County – Sunlight Electric's efforts will spare the emission of nearly 66 million pounds of global-warming carbon dioxide and asthma and allergy-inducing pollution over the next 30 years. Clients include Frog's Leap Winery, artisan cheese producer Cowgirl Creamery and Star Route Farms.

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