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Zeal Hotels has opened the first in a planned series of net-zero hotels, designed to operate entirely on renewable energy.

The 142-bedroom Voco Zeal Exeter Science Park is believed to be the first UK hotel to feature black glass solar panels as cladding, with vertical solar arrays installed on three of its four exterior walls. This innovative solution is complemented by a smaller rooftop solar system, making the building almost completely encased in solar technology.

The 2,619-panel vertical solar façade projected to generate 320,000 kWh of energy a year, saving £200,000 a year in energy bills and delivering a return on investment in 18 months.

Developed by Zeal Hotels in partnership with IHG Hotels & Resorts and Valor Hospitality, the hotel has achieved a BREEAM Outstanding rating for its sustainable design. This includes using Passivhaus principles to reduce energy consumption by approximately two-thirds compared to conventional hotels. Key design features include specialised wall thickness and concrete composition to help maintain comfortable indoor temperatures and reduce reliance on traditional heating and cooling systems.

Nick Spicer, managing director of solar specialist Your Eco, which installed and commissioned the vertical solar system, explained: “While the original plans for the hotel included a rooftop solar system, it quickly became evident that rooftop solar alone wouldn’t produce enough energy to meet the hotel’s energy demands – a common challenge in buildings with small rooftops compared to their overall size and energy consumption. Rather than compromise on its sustainability goals, Zeal embraced a bold alternative: a vertical solar installation. They had a clear and ambitious vision, and we’re proud to have helped bring that vision to life.”

Your Eco selected SolarEdge DC-optimised inverters and S-Series Power Optimisers for the project to overcome inherent design challenges with vertical solar arrays. These include an increased risk of shading from nearby buildings and trees, and varying sunlight angles that can reduce energy production in traditional string inverter systems. In traditional systems, panels are connected in series, which means that if one panel underperforms, the performance of all connected panels is impaired. SolarEdge Power Optimisers address this by allowing solar panels to operate independently, ensuring that any performance loss is limited to the affected panels.

With its suite of inbuilt safety features, the SolarEdge system also met the hotel’s requirement for enhanced safety. These features include SafeDC™, designed to automatically reduce voltage in solar arrays to touch-safe levels within minutes, allowing safe access for maintenance crews or emergency responders. Additionally, S-Series Power Optimisers feature Sense Connect, an arc-fault detection and prevention technology. This feature monitors for localised temperature increases, enabling the early identification and mitigation of potential arc faults before they pose a risk.

Spicer added: “As demand for clean, renewable power continues to rise, vertical solar installations are expected to become increasingly common. However, achieving their full potential requires innovative technology – especially when panels are used as cladding, which brings added requirements like strict fire safety standards. SolarEdge’s technology ensures the solar façade is both efficient and safe, offering significant cost savings and peace of mind.”

Zeal Hotels plans to install on-site battery storage at the Exeter site to store excess solar energy generated during the day for use at night. Currently, surplus energy is exported to the grid and imported back in the evening. It is also exploring additional sites to develop more net-zero carbon hotels, using Voco Zeal Exeter Science Park as a blueprint.

Tim Wheeldon, founding director of Zeal Hotels, said: “By harnessing renewable energy sources, implementing energy-efficient designs, and using innovative technology, we have created a space that not only provides comfort and luxury but also prioritises environmental responsibility.”

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