Gaylord National Resort & Convention Center in National Harbor, Maryland, has activated a rooftop solar installation spanning approximately 3.5 acres atop the resort’s convention center. Featuring 4,696 solar panels, the array is designed to supply up to 20% of the resort’s electrical load during peak production periods and offset up to 50% of the electricity purchased from the local utility.
Credit: Gaylord National Resort and Convention Center
“This project is an important example of how we are partnering with Marriott International to invest in initiatives that support our shared conservation goals and create long-term value for our shareholders,” said Mark Fioravanti, president and CEO of Ryman Hospitality Properties. “With this project complete, we’re reducing demand on the local power grid while improving operational efficiency and strengthening the resort’s climate resiliency for years to come.”
The array came online in June 2026 and has already produced the equivalent power of approximately 48 average U.S. households for one year. Gaylord National partnered with REV Energy Ventures to develop and implement the solar project.
“Gaylord National’s solar project demonstrates how large hospitality properties can integrate renewable energy while maintaining seamless operations,” said Jeff Bedard, founder and CEO of REV Energy Ventures. “The project’s scale highlights the role on-site renewable energy can play in supporting both operational efficiency and sustainability goals.”
Since 2018, Gaylord National’s on-site Cogen system has generated electricity while repurposing waste energy for heating, helping meet more than 75% of the resort’s energy needs.
“The addition of solar power strengthens the foundation we have established through our Cogen system and other efficiency investments,” said Derek Brauner, director of engineering at Gaylord National Resort and Convention Center. “By generating electricity on site, capturing thermal energy that would otherwise be wasted and continuously monitoring our building systems, we are able to operate more efficiently. The solar array is another important component of a broader resort-wide strategy focused on energy efficiency, resource conservation and long-term sustainability.”
Additional initiatives include energy-saving building technologies, continuous operational monitoring, rooftop beehives, an on-site herb garden and a commitment to local and sustainable sourcing. The resort also supports waste-reduction efforts through single-stream recycling, paperless billing, the elimination of single-use toiletry bottles and recycling up to 170,000 pounds of cardboard each month.
News item from Gaylord National Resort and Convention Center
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