Powering the future: The Tawny hotel goes solar

The Tawny has marked a major milestone in its sustainability journey as work begins on the installation of 250 new solar panels.

Set to go live in January 2026, the solar array forms a central pillar of The Tawny’s forward-thinking sustainability strategy. The development underscores the hotel’s commitment to significantly reducing its environmental footprint while championing innovative, future-focused solutions.

The project includes 250 photovoltaic (PV) modules, creating a power production of 175.91 megawatt hours, generating an annual saving of 33.96 tonnes of carbon – which is equivalent to planting 1560 trees each year.

The £105k solar investment is part funded by The Business Energy Advice Service – a government funded pilot programme supporting Staffordshire businesses improve their environmental performance.

In addition, The Tawny continues to lead the way with smart energy storage. Alongside 14 on-site EV chargers, the hotel has already invested in a battery system to store excess solar power, ensuring efficient energy day and night.

Josh Chadwick, The Tawny Hotel’s General Manager, says: “This project is a game-changer for The Tawny. Not only are we dramatically reducing our carbon footprint, but we’re also embracing innovative technology that delivers real operational benefits. Sustainability isn’t just good for the planet – it’s smart business.”

The Tawny’s clever deconstructed hotel design weaves within 70 acres of rewilded woodland, which also includes five lakes and 26 (once forgotten) follies, in the heart of rural Staffordshire. Now a haven for wildlife, the new solar project is the latest example of the hotel’s long-term mission to lead in responsible, regenerative hospitality.