Using solar energy in hostels

YHA New Zealand is making a big investment in solar heating for 11 of their hostels.  

YHA New Zealand hostels roll out $2.7m solar network

“The Youth Hostels Association of New Zealand, a charitable organisation, is investing in a $2.7 million solar energy network for 11 of its hostels across the country
…
The three-year project will see more than 880 panels go up across hostels from Franz Josef to Auckland, and more than 3300 solar heating tubes, which will use the sun's energy to warm up the water supply at each site.
…
The $2.7m project includes plumbing and new hot water systems, and will pay itself off in about six years, YHA New Zealand central area manager Chris Sperring said.
…
The system would eventually include Tesla powerwalls, Sperring said. Made by the electric car company, these are essentially solar power storage systems, which can be tapped into once the sun goes down.”

That comes down to an average initial cost of roughly $245k per hostel, paid off in six years.  

Several people have mentioned in this forum that they have installed, or planned to install, solar water heating systems for their hostels.  With good equipment it seems like a great benefit for the business and for the environment.  

There hasn’t been much discussion about solar energy, powering the hostel with electricity created from the sun.  It’s great that YHA New Zealand is planning to do it!

Now that companies like Tesla are rolling out more affordable battery packs that are big enough for hostel application, I wonder how many hostels will get on board.

Are you using solar equipment to power your hostel or home?  What has been your experience with it?