Innovation Fund project - Belle Bonne Motel

This motel is located in Yaldhurst Road in Avonhead, Christchurch and has ten accomodation units and an office.

The Sunshine Solar solar water heating (SWH) system to be installed by Advanced Solar Technologies is a demonstration example for the Quality Chain Group, which has ninety motels throughout NZ. The installation will include four 30-tube evacuated tube SWH systems and will be leased by the motel leaseholder from the solar supplier.

The lease arrangement is considered to be an excellent option for motels as a leaseholders do not need to invest in capital for the property but can pay for the operational expense. Moteliers are already accustomed to leasing a number of items in their facilities such as whiteware, laundry equipment, Sky TV and sometimes furnishings.

The system will be monitored for twelve months with electricity and water flow meters to assess the performance of this system. The results of this project will be compared to the Arthur's Court motel, which has installed a SWH system with gas back up by the same supplier.

Results will be made available when the monitoring of this project is complete with an evaluation on the merits of leasing SWH over this time.