DSD Renewables’ 6.5 MW solar portfolio designed to power the operations of Caesars Entertainment’s Atlantic City properties demonstrates the feasibility of large-scale solar installations in energy-intensive, urban environments, and sets a precedent for innovation for renewable energy deployment in the hospitality and entertainment industries. By generating 9,700 MWh of clean energy annually – offsetting approximately 3,740 metric tons of CO2 emissions annually – the projects allow Caesars to meet its renewable energy goals and reduce its reliance on the local utility.
The financial and environmental benefits of the solar portfolio reach far beyond Caesars’ operations. The combined systems meet 5.5% of the properties’ total energy needs with solar, helping to reduce Caesars’ overall operational costs, while also strengthening the resilience of the local power grid. As the largest utility customer in Atlantic City, Caesars’ adoption of solar energy helps significantly alleviate strain on the grid, contributing to greater overall resiliency and potential energy cost savings for the surrounding community.
The installations include 1.7 MW and 886 kW solar garage canopies at Caesars Atlantic City, in addition to a 1.9 MW solar canopy at Harrah’s self-park garage and another 1.9 MW canopy at Harrah’s valet garage. The fifth installation, which is a 960.9 kW solar rooftop canopy system at Harrah’s Waterfront Conference Center, will be installed in 2025, further enhancing what is an already LEED certified space and aligning with New Jersey’s clean energy objectives.
The five installations were designed to meet the unique demands of building in such a space-constrained and highly trafficked setting. Throughout development, DSD employed a highly innovative approach to the engineering and deployment of the portfolio in order to overcome unique structural, regulatory, and environmental challenges, while delivering a solution that balances efficiency, aesthetics, and resilience.
Given the location of the sites along the coast, the solar canopies were custom-designed to withstand high wind loads and extreme weather conditions, ensuring long-term performance and dependability. The installations also utilize precision-engineered racking systems that minimize the structural impact to roofs and parking garages, ensuring the longevity of Caesars’ facilities and providing shaded, weather-protected parking for patrons, improving the overall guest experience. The inclusion of high-efficiency Qcells solar panels and SMA inverters further enhance system reliability and energy output, ensuring the best performance over the portfolio’s projected 35-year lifespan.
DSD also had to navigate complex logistical and regulatory challenges throughout the development process. This included working closely with the Federal Aviation Administration, due to the height of some rooftop installations, and the Casino Redevelopment Authority to secure the necessary approvals and ensure compliance was being met with the stringent site requirements. The rollout of construction was also meticulously coordinated with Caesars property managers to avoid any disruptions to casino and hotel operations, a critical consideration when working in an always-on, 24/7 resort environment. The DSD team leveraged redundant backup generation systems to mitigate downtime, and precisely scheduled equipment deliveries during off-peak hours to minimize disturbances. Through careful planning and collaborative management, the installations were deployed without any interruptions to Caesars’ operations or guests.
By developing innovative engineering solutions and overcoming significant operational challenges, DSD has delivered a transformative solar project that exemplifies a new potential for renewable energy in commercial applications. The success of this portfolio serves as a model for similar industries with extremely energy-intensive demands and space constraints, such as hospitals, business parks, and entertainment venues. With a commitment to sustainability and operational excellence, Caesars Entertainment and DSD Renewables have set a new standard for renewable energy adoption in the hospitality sector, proving that clean energy solutions can be both practical and highly impactful avenues for improving operations while benefitting the community as a whole.
