Holiday Park Installs Green Heat Technology

A HOLIDAY park is helping to cut the environmental impact of thousands of holidaymakers in Cornwall this summer, thanks to state- of-the-art solar technologies.

The installation of 12 square metres of solar collectors at Tehidy Holiday Park near Redruth has been carried out by Cornish renewable energy specialist Capture Energy.

It will help provide hot water for washing and showering to around 7,000 people during the season, and is forecast to cut the park’s electricity bill by up to pounds2,000 a year.

As well as the financial savings, the Capture Energy system will be used to promote the park to would-be visitors, and enhances its existing green credentials.

Nathan Billings, Capture Energy’s technical director, said: “The system we have installed will reduce the need for electrical heat even on fairly cloudy days, and will pre-heat the water all year round.

“This has been an exciting project for us and a win-win situation for the park. It saves money and is able to market its environmental focus.”

The system includes solar collectors on the roof of the park’s toilet block and a new hot water system to supply its showers and washbasins. All showers and taps are self-closing to make the most of the hot water.

The block serves the park’s 38 camping pitches, which together are occupied for around 7,000 bed nights a year.

Last year Tehidy Holiday Park was a David Bellamy Conservation Award winner for its environmental work.

Owner Richard Barnes said: “Our park is set in a beautiful wooded valley near the coast.

“We already have initiatives in place to make sure we protect both the local and global environment. The solar heating will complement those, and save us money to boot.

“More and more of our guests are actively seeking out the most environmentally friendly park, so this will also give us a competitive edge.”

(c) 2008 Western Morning News, The Plymouth (UK). Provided by ProQuest Information and Learning. All rights Reserved.