Down To Business Out & About: Monart Solar Farm
Sep 13, 2025
Join Bobby as he visits the Monart Solar Farm with CEO Michael Griffin to explore their green energy initiative. Discover how the solar farm powers hotel operations and handles surplus energy through a partnership with Pinergy. Michael reveals plans for a substantial expansion that promises substantial cost savings over eight years. Delve into his personal motivations for sustainability and how it has become a core business strategy, all while facing the challenges of rising energy costs in the hotel industry.
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On-Site Solar Farm In Action
- Michael Griffin describes standing in a field at Monart with solar panels supplying 40% of the hotel's electricity from phase one.
- He explains planned expansion to cover about 85% of the group's electricity needs across three hotels when complete.
Keep Credits When Selling Surplus Power
- Work with an energy supplier to sell surplus power while retaining green credentials for other properties.
- This lets you offset grid consumption at sister hotels by keeping the carbon credits from exported energy.
Solar Investment Has Multi-Year Payback
- The solar extension has an estimated eight-year payback and requires ~€2.2–2.3m for the next phase.
- Rising retail energy prices can shorten payback, making large solar investments commercially sensible for hotels.
