Interview with Ben Avery, Founder of SolarPalz

“What if your guests could help fund your hotel’s solar panels?”

A preview of the June 12 webinar – part of the Skål Europe Academy

At Skål Europe, we believe in spotlighting tourism innovations that are both visionary and practical. That’s why our next Academy webinar focuses on a startup that is quietly redefining how hotels can finance their transition to renewable energy.

We sat down with Ben Avery, founder of SolarPalz, to get a first glimpse into a project that promises to connect hotels and guests in a completely new way.

Skål Europe: Ben, you’ve called this “Solar Tourism.” What do you mean?

Ben Avery:
It’s the idea that a guest’s relationship with a hotel can go beyond just booking a room. With SolarPalz, we’re exploring how hotels and their guests can work together to create a greener, more sustainable future — one solar panel at a time.

Skål Europe: So is this about financing solar panels?

Ben Avery:
Yes — but in a very human, community-driven way.
We’re not offering loans or complicated grants. We’re creating a simple, fair, and inspiring way for hotels to involve the people who already believe in them: their guests.

Skål Europe: What kind of hotels would this work for?

Ben Avery:
Independent hotels, boutique properties, family-run resorts…
The kinds of places where the guest relationship is real, and where sustainability isn’t just a trend — it’s a value.
These are the hotels that often don’t have access to major funding, but they do have something more important: loyal guests who care.

Skål Europe: And for the guests? What’s in it for them?

Ben Avery:
The joy of supporting something meaningful — and the very real reward of future stays.
It’s a win-win. We’re not asking for donations. We’re creating a new model where travellers can participate in sustainability and get something back in return.

Skål Europe: What makes the system trustworthy?

Ben Avery:
One of our pillars is guest protection. That’s non-negotiable.
The way we’ve structured the platform is designed to build confidence — for both hotels and their supporters. We’ll talk more about that during the webinar.

Skål Europe: Without giving too much away, what can people expect from the June 12 session?

Ben Avery:
We’ll share the story behind SolarPalz, show the basic mechanics, and explain why now is the perfect time to launch this kind of platform — especially in Europe.
If you care about sustainability, hospitality, and future-focused innovation, this is a conversation you’ll want to be part of.