Innovation fund project - Waipara Boys Brigade Camp

The Waipara Boys Brigade Camp near Christchurch is taking steps to promote renewable energy and reduce their reliance on other fuel sources by installing solar water heating on to their campsite.

The camp will have five Sunshine Solar systems on different buildings, with a total panel size of 84.6m2. Currently the camp uses electricity, gas and diesel to heat its water, so a shift to solar water heating is expected to reduce both energy costs and the camp's impact on the environment.

The camp is used year round, but sees the highest guest numbers between October and April. Last year the camp had 3,228 guests staying a total of 9,188 nights. Most campers are school groups but the camp also hosts coporate retreats, family groups and other organisations.

John Wilson, the supplier for this project, comments that is easier for camps such as Waipara to fundraise for capital costs such as this solar water heating system, rather than for general operational costs.

The Waipara Boys Bridgade Camp hopes to be an example for other residential camps in New Zealand. The solar water heating system will form part of the educational programme at the campsite and the energy savings will be logged and displayed on site.

The results of this project will be made available when the monitoring is complete.