In 2006, Cape Jourimain Nature Centre, at the foot of the Confederation Bridge, installed a 1.2 × 2.4 m (4 × 8′) solar panel (Thermo Dynamics Ltd.) to preheat some of the hot water needed for the restaurant.
- In order to reduce the amount of electricity used to heat water for the kitchen, a solar hot water panel pre-heats the water used in the kitchen whenever the sun shines.
- The system started operating in May, 2006, and we would need a few more panels to cover the entire hot water needs for the kitchen!
- A closed loop of glycol absorbs the heat from the sun, moves it into the building and transfers it to the water inside a solar boiler and into a supplementary tank that sits next to the conventional water heater.
- The conventional heater draws the preheated water and if necessary increases the temperature before sending it out to the taps and the dishwasher.
A financial analysis of the Cape Jourimain solar hot water collector system using RETScreen Software (http://canmetenergy-canmetenergie.nrcan-rncan.gc.ca/eng/software_tools/retscreen.html) gives an idea of the system cost payback period, and Green House Gas Reductions. RETScreen software is developed and maintained by Natural Resources Canada. A $10000 initial investment, which did not require interest payments, was the basis for the financial calculations, along with weather data and collector performance data that is programmed for RETScreen. Calculations were based the seasonal use (spring, summer, and fall) of the collectors at Cape Jourimain. Cape Jourimain will be able to payback the solar panels in 17 years while reducing carbon emissions
Cape Jourimain also has a net-metered 10 kW turbine, an extensive system of composting toilets, uses rainwater for hand washing, geothermal energy for heating in the winter and cooling in the summer, and a small photovoltaic panel that generates electricity of a water fountain.
