FAQ:
WHAT IF THE HOTEL SELLS:
In the event of a hotel sale, the most common option is for the room trading agreement to transfer to the new hotel owner. This seamless transfer ensures that the terms and benefits of the agreement remain in place for the new owner. However, in situations where there is a considerable change in guest occupancy, particularly if it increases significantly (though this is not common), the hotel has the option to buy out the remaining value of the room trading agreement. This flexibility allows for adjustments based on the evolving needs and circumstances of the hotel.
WHAT IF THE HOTEL DOESN'T HAVE ROOMS AVAILABLE ON A BUSY NIGHT?
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If a hotel doesn't have rooms available on a busy night, there are mechanisms in place to manage this situation:
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Blackout Dates: The hotel has the flexibility to designate up to 10 blackout dates per year. During these specified dates, htpnrg won't send Electronic Voucher (EVoucher) guests.
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Hotel's Booking Priority: If the hotel has already booked rooms for a particular night, htpnrg will refrain from sending any guests with EVouchers for that night.
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Booking Platform Control: The htpnrg booking platform operates similarly to other third-party booking platforms (e.g., Expedia, Orbitz). Once the hotel achieves a satisfactory level of occupancy, typically around 95%, the hotelier has the option to shut down external bookings. This allows the hotel to maintain control over its occupancy levels.
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Advance Booking Requirement: All htpnrg reservations require a minimum of 5-7 days advance booking. This advance notice provides the hotel with the necessary time to manage room availability and ensure a seamless experience for both htpnrg guests and the hotel itself.
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Subject to Availability: All rooms booked through htpnrg are subject to availability at any particular location. This ensures that the hotel can manage its inventory effectively and accommodate guests within its capacity.
DOES THE OWNERS HAVE TO PROVIDE A PERSONAL GUARANTEE?
Yes, owners are required to provide a personal guarantee. The arrangement involves an off-books solution to fund the solar upgrade, and as part of this process, there will be a UCC-1 fixture filing on the solar equipment. This filing ensures that the solar equipment is considered collateral and can be transferred to the next hotel owner in the event of a sale. However, it's important to note that if the hotel defaults on honoring the rooms, the personal guarantee comes into effect. This adds a layer of assurance and commitment to the agreement, helping to mitigate risks associated with defaults on room commitments.
HOW MANY ROOMS DO I CONTRIBUTE FOR MY SOLAR ARRAY?
The number of rooms contributed for the solar array is determined through an analysis conducted by htpnrg after the hotel is submitted. This analysis takes into account the property's location, and it aims to assess how many rooms will be required. It's important to note that the contribution is limited, and there will be no more than 7% of the room inventory used per night. In practice, htpnrg typically sends 0-4 Electronic Voucher (EVoucher) guests per night, ensuring a balanced and sustainable utilization of hotel resources for the solar energy program.
HOW BIG WILL THE SOLAR ARRAY BE?
The standard size for the solar array is set at 100kW. After engineers conduct the mobilization process, a more precise system size will be determined. This specific size will be tailored to offset as much of the hotel's electric bill as possible, taking into consideration the available area on the hotel property that can be utilized for the solar array. This approach ensures that the solar energy system is optimized to meet the energy needs of the hotel while utilizing the available space efficiently.
DOES SOLAR ADD TO THE VALUE OF THE HOTEL?
Certainly. htpNRG can facilitate an introduction to the company that will conduct the appraisal of the solar equipment. This company is associated with Novogradac, which possesses specific expertise in real estate and renewable energy appraisals. This collaboration ensures that the appraisal process is conducted with a focus on both the real estate and renewable energy aspects, providing a comprehensive evaluation of the solar equipment's value.
WILL THE ROOMS SOLD THROUGH THE VOUCHER PROGRAM WATER DOWN THE REGULAR RACK PRICES?
No, the rooms sold through the voucher program will not dilute the regular rack prices. These rooms are sold through htpnrg's exclusive membership-based room coin purchase, loyalty programs, and mileage programs. Participants in these programs pay for part or all of the voucher using points or miles, maintaining a separate and distinct transaction from regular room pricing.
Furthermore, rooms are also sold in bulk to corporations with traveling company personnel. This practice caters to the specific needs of corporate clients and ensures that the voucher program does not impact the regular pricing structure for individual bookings.
WHAT IF THE SOLAR STOPS WORKING?
If the solar system stops working, the hotelier is not obligated to honor vouchers during that period. However, it's important to note that the likelihood of the system being down for an extended period, or at all, is extremely low. Solar arrays across the country have demonstrated stability, and the system comes with a warranty and monitoring to ensure prompt detection and resolution of any issues. While the hotelier is not obliged to honor vouchers when the solar system is not operational, the overall reliability and performance of solar arrays contribute to minimizing the occurrence of such situations.
IS THE SOLAR ARRAY MAINTAINED FOR THE HOTEL?
Yes, the maintenance of your solar array is ensured through regular monitoring by the htpnrg and Intelligen.energy team. This proactive monitoring is conducted to guarantee that your solar system is operating at optimal levels, providing you with the best possible results in terms of energy efficiency and cost savings. Regular maintenance and monitoring contribute to the long-term performance and reliability of the solar array, ensuring that it continues to meet the energy needs of the hotel effectively.
WHAT IS THE MOBILIZATION FEE FOR?
The mobilization fee serves multiple purposes within the htpnrg program:
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Technical Site Survey and Design: A portion of the fee covers the expenses associated with conducting a technical site survey and designing the solar energy system. This ensures that the system is customized to fit the specific needs and characteristics of the hotel property.
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Onboarding with htp Booking System: Another part of the fee is allocated to onboard the hotel with the htp booking system. This process is essential for the smooth placement of Electronic Vouchers (EVouchers) throughout the duration of the room trading agreement. Onboarding facilitates the integration of the hotel with htpnrg's booking infrastructure, streamlining the entire EVoucher placement process.
By allocating the mobilization fee to these crucial aspects, htpnrg ensures that the solar system is tailored to the hotel's requirements, and the booking process is seamless and efficient throughout the agreement period.
HOW MUCH WILL THE HOTEL SAVE WITH SOLAR?
The amount a hotel can save with solar will depend on several factors, including the size of the solar system, the hotel's electricity consumption, and the local utility costs. The fact sheet agreement provides a close estimate of the potential savings. During the mobilization period, a more precise analysis will be conducted to hone in on custom savings specific to the hotel. This detailed assessment ensures that the expected savings are tailored to the hotel's unique energy needs and local conditions, providing a more accurate projection of the financial benefits associated with the solar installation.