"Installing solar thermal heating in one of our lodging areas is a natural extension of our core belief in sustainability," said Jack Grup, owner of Highland Lake Inn and Season's Restaurant in Flat Rock, North Carolina. "With the help of Sundance Power Systems, we'll be installing eight solar thermal collection panels on the roof of The Woodward House, our bed and breakfast inn."

The solar thermal panels will convert the sun's energy to heat the water used in the Woodward House, as well as the laundry facilities, which are also housed in the inn. By harnessing the sun's power, Highland Lake Inn will not only save money on fuel costs, but will also displace 10.5 tons of carbon dioxide over the 30-year lifetime of the system. This savings is also equivalent to adding 9.7 acres of forest carbon storage, and not driving 2.5 cars for one year.

"Solar Hot water systems are one of the most important and cost effective technologies available for reducing the carbon foot print of any home or business," said Dave Hollister of Sundance Power Systems. "Highland Lake Inn is taking a step to enable the shift toward a more sustainable energy future and to combat Global Climate change." Currently, the Woodward House currently uses natural gas to heat the water in the building. The eight panels will produce an average of 320,000 BTUs of energy per day. The average American uses 10,000-15,000 BTUs a day for heating water.

Sundance Power Systems will be installing an active solar system, which means that the system will use electronic pumps and controllers to circulate heat transfer fluid through the collectors. The heat from the collectors will then be delivered to two 120 gallon storage tanks that feed into the main Voyager water heater.

The solar system installed at Highland Lake Inn is eligible for a 35% state tax credit and a 30% federal tax credit, which brings the out of pocket cost down to one-third of the original price of the installed system.

"Solar energy is pollution free and is a renewable resource," said Grup. "We'll be able to see energy saving results very quickly. We hope that our efforts will inspire more people by the actions we are taking now to reduce waste and use sustainable resources. This is just one of many projects we are engaged in that will help Highland Lake Inn to continue to conserve our energy resources. We have many more plans in process to continue this important progress."

"Highland Lake Inn has taken a leadership role in Western North Carolina as being one of the first resorts to look at developing a renewable energy strategy," said Dave Hollister of Sundance Power Systems. "Jack Grup and the Highland Lake Inn staff has been great at taking an active role in looking over their operation thoroughly to conceptualize and develop the system and a more long term, overall plan for the Inn."

Highland Lake Inn also has cabin rooms, cottages and a lodge as part of their accommodation choices, and is a member of the Green Hotels Association. Season's, which is the on-site award-winning restaurant, takes full advantage of the property's organic gardens, which yield between 80% and 90% of the fresh produce, herbs and edible flowers used in meal preparation when in season. All of the lodging facilities and administrative offices participate in recycling paper, plastic, and glass. Season's recycles cardboard, plastic, metal cans, aluminum cans, and brown and green glass. The lodging rooms also have "Save Our Planet" signage to encourage guests to use their towels multiple times before housekeeping picks them up to clean. Other energy saving practices include using rechargeable batteries, energy efficient appliances, and LED and compact fluorescent lighting.