Solar Shelters: The Smart Outdoor Dining Option for Hospitality Venues

For restaurants, cafés, pubs and hotels, outdoor space can be one of the most valuable assets a venue has – but it can also be one of the most underused.

Too much sun, rain, wind or cooler temperatures can quickly put customers off sitting outside, leaving valuable tables empty and limiting the amount of time a terrace or garden can generate revenue.

Now, there’s a smarter way to make the most of outdoor space...

Introducing Solar Shelters for Hospitality

Solar shelters combine comfortable, covered outdoor space with integrated solar technology, allowing hospitality venues to create attractive areas for dining, drinking and socialising while also generating renewable electricity. Essentially, the roof of the shelter becomes more than just protection from the elements. Integrated photovoltaic (PV) panels can generate electricity from sunlight, turning an otherwise unused roof area into a source of renewable energy.

For restaurants, cafés, hotels and other hospitality businesses, this creates a compelling combination: more usable outdoor space, greater customer comfort and the potential to reduce reliance on grid electricity.

Why Are Solar Shelters Ideal for Hospitality?

Create More Usable Dining Space

One of the biggest benefits of a solar shelter is the ability to transform an outdoor area into a more reliable extension of your venue. A sheltered terrace, courtyard or garden can provide additional seating for customers, helping venues increase capacity during busy periods and make better use of space that might otherwise sit empty. Broadview already helps hospitality businesses create outdoor spaces that can be used more consistently throughout the year with bespoke pergolas, awnings and other shading solutions. Solar shelters take this concept a step further by incorporating renewable energy generation into the structure itself.

Generate Renewable Energy

The solar element is what makes these shelters particularly interesting for hospitality businesses. Solar panels integrated into the roof can generate electricity during daylight hours, potentially helping to offset some of the venue's energy consumption. The actual energy generation will depend on factors such as the size and orientation of the system, available sunlight and the venue's energy requirements. For businesses already looking at ways to reduce energy costs and improve their sustainability credentials, a solar shelter can form part of a wider renewable energy strategy.

Protect Customers From the Weather

A successful outdoor dining area needs to offer more than just shade. A well-designed shelter can provide protection from sunshine and rain, while additional features can be incorporated to improve comfort during cooler or changeable weather. Depending on the design, outdoor structures can be enhanced with heating, integrated lighting, side screens and glazing, helping to create a more comfortable environment for customers from spring through to autumn and potentially beyond.

Extend the Outdoor Dining Season

British weather is unpredictable – and that can make outdoor dining a difficult proposition. A properly designed shelter gives hospitality businesses greater control over their outside space, allowing customers to enjoy the benefits of dining outdoors without being completely at the mercy of the forecast. Add heating, lighting and suitable screening, and an outdoor terrace can become a genuine extension of the venue rather than simply a seasonal extra. That can mean more covers, longer dwell times and greater opportunities to generate revenue from your outdoor space.

A Range of Features to Suit Your Venue

Every hospitality venue is different, which is why solar shelters can be designed around the requirements of the space. Depending on the system selected, features can include:

• Integrated solar PV panels to generate renewable electricity
• Weather protection to create a more reliable outdoor environment
• LED lighting for attractive evening ambience
• Outdoor heating to keep customers comfortable during cooler periods
• Side screens or glazing for additional protection from wind and rain
• Motorised controls for convenient operation
• Bespoke dimensions and finishes to complement your building and existing outdoor area
• Integrated drainage to manage rainwater effectively

Modern commercial outdoor structures can also be configured in different sizes and layouts, making them suitable for everything from a compact café terrace to a larger hotel or restaurant dining area.

Could a Solar Shelter Work for Your Venue?

Whether you run a restaurant, café, pub, hotel, holiday park, sporting or events venue, your outdoor space could have the potential to work harder for your business.

At Broadview, we specialise in creating bespoke outdoor shading and hospitality solutions, from initial design and specification through to supply and installation. With more than 55 years' experience in the shading industry, our team can help you explore the options available and create an outdoor environment that works for both your customers and your business.

Ready to make more of your outdoor space? Contact our team today to discuss the potential to creating a bespoke solar shelter for your hospitality venue. Call us on 01202 679012 or complete the enquiry form and we will be in contact.