Sun shines down on Sick Kids

Metroland - Toronto Division
Mon 01 Oct 2007, Page: 01
Section: Annex Guardian - News

The only kind of hot water Sick Kids Hospital will be into in the future is the solar-powered kind. The hospital has entered into a partnership with Mondial Energy Inc. to provide them with hot water heated by the sun for the next 10 years. Mondial will set up the solar panels and the accompanying equipment, and sell the energy to the hospital. "We have been very active in trying to reduce our energy consumption," said Director of Facility Operations Fred Girvan. "We had heard about the solar project and were intrigued by it." The 92 panels for the system will be installed on the roof of the hospital's atrium in the wings of the butterfly sculptures.

"It won't even be noticeable, once it's up there," said Girvan. An anti- freeze solution will be pumped through the panels that will heat up with the sun's rays. That solution will travel to storage tanks and the heat will be transferred through a heat exchanger. Currently, the hospital purchases steam from a company called EnWave for its hot water. Mondial estimated that the solar energy will offset the need for 750,000 lbs. of steam. It's a small step for the hospital, but one that sets an example, said Girvan. "As a hospital for children, we are very concerned about the environment," he said.

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