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Sustainable Development in the Tunisian Hotel Sector: A Case Study of Using LED Lighting and Photovoltaic Systems

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  • Hedi Trabelsi

    (Laboratory of Economic and Management (LEG), Faculty of Economics and Management of Sfax (FSEG), Airport Road Km 4, Sfax 3018, Tunisia)

  • Younes Boujelbene

    (Laboratory of Economic and Management (LEG), Faculty of Economics and Management of Sfax (FSEG), Airport Road Km 4, Sfax 3018, Tunisia)

Abstract

Researchers and companies are placing increasing importance on sustainability to fight climate change. This study analyzes the sustainability of hotel installation, photovoltaic (PV) solar panels, and the transition from traditional lighting to light-emitting diode (LED) bulbs. The results show that for the PV system, the NPV (net present value) varied between 3191 and 11,959 kTND/kW and that the installation of PV panels has a positive NPV of 100% in the case of a high market scenario and 79–84% in the case of a scenario with reduced market activity. Regarding energy optimization, the use of LED bulbs generates an NPV of 346 to 713 TND/bulb, depending on self-consumption and the cost of electricity. Ecological studies show that installing PV panels would reduce carbon dioxide emissions by 424 gCO2eq/kWh, or 61 tCO2eq/year. Furthermore, social evaluations have shown the importance of the use of renewable energy from an energy optimization point of view for the ecological transition. In conclusion, green investments improve the sustainability of hotels. However, to fully exploit this potential, a change in consumer attitudes is needed. Hotels must continue to promote their sustainability efforts while making their guests aware of the importance of making eco-friendly choices. Only a combined approach, involving both hoteliers and guests, will achieve a sustainable transition in the hotel sector. The objective of this article is therefore to examine the multidisciplinary interactions between photovoltaic solar energy and sustainable development by highlighting the inherent opportunities of this multidisciplinary approach for their success in the hospitality sector. Our methodological approach therefore combines a theoretical and a numerical study. These studies play a major role in energy transition projects due to their economic, environmental, technical, and technological contributions, which proves the importance of the multidisciplinary approach to address the energy transition in a holistic way.

Suggested Citation

  • Hedi Trabelsi & Younes Boujelbene, 2025. "Sustainable Development in the Tunisian Hotel Sector: A Case Study of Using LED Lighting and Photovoltaic Systems," Energies, MDPI, vol. 18(8), pages 1-30, April.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jeners:v:18:y:2025:i:8:p:1902-:d:1630807
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    References listed on IDEAS

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