Rotorua Sustainable Tourism Charter, The Rotorua Sustainable Tourism Charter is a grass roots initiative. It is being developed and operated by the local tourism industry, and designed to create startegies that protect the natural and physical environment..

Te Puia goes yellow in more ways than one

Jun 2, 2010

Te Puia has recently joined the ranks of those businesses with a Qualmark Gold rating. A contributor to this rating has been the introduction of a solar hot water system for the restaurant which on average caters to 200 visitors a day. The system was installed by Ewa-Tec Ltd and is not your run of the mill solar system. Unlike standard solar collectors which often protrude above the roof line, the Te Puia system is a roof integrated system which means the solar collectors form part of the roof structure. “Te Puia gets an energy efficient solar system without compromising on architectural design” says Eric Jansseune, Director of Ewa-Tec. Eric explains that previously hot water was heated with a gas system. The new solar system is a preheating system connected to a new hot water on demand gas system. The integrated solar roof design is based on a Swiss concept that has been proven for over 25 years in Europe.

The new solar system is being monitored for efficiency and to date has shown energy savings of 1,636 Kilowatt Hours with the annual energy savings expected to be at least 4,800 Kilowatt Hours (the average home uses around 7,000 Kilowatt Hours annually). “We had more than economics in mind when we decided to install this system” says Te Taru White, Te Puia’s CEO. “This system will help reduce Te Puia’s carbon footprint and it supports our sustainability ethic”.

‘Click here>>>’ to view a technical brochure on the solar system installed by Ewa-Tec at Te Puia.

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