Solar Energy among Green Changes at Bayfair

A Mt Maunganui shopping centre’s sustainability philosophy continues to grow its stake in environmental leadership. Through continued improvement and the introduction of climate change initiatives, the centre’s amenities and parents’ room have recently undergone refurbishment, harbouring several new sustainability measures.

Bayfair Shopping Centre is one of the first shopping centres in the country to use solar power in its bathrooms and has been pre-plumbed for future grey water recycling measures. The solar energy and ecological ‘grey water’ systems are endorsed by conservation groups worldwide and accord with New Zealand’s landmark Climate Change Act 2002, intended to reduce energy emissions across the country.

The centre’s new environmental measures, which conserve energy used from hand-dryers, lighting and heated water, follow recent surveys on public concern over wastage. One survey found that 42% of New Zealanders view climate change as ‘a problem now’ and would like larger businesses to address their costs to the environment.

Many New Zealanders are also aware of solar energy initiatives and, as the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Authority reports, 3,400 solar home heating systems are being installed by Kiwis each year to reduce individual households’ footprints.

Bayfair’s new sustainability policy is evident in the refurbishment of its public bathrooms. In addition to the pre-plumbing of grey water harvesting tanks, solar panels have been fitted to provide heat to water, and LED lighting which will result in at least a 50 percent energy saving. Other measures include air conditioning systems, water-saving tap sensors, foam soap dispensers, recycling bins, and speedier hand-dryers which reduce energy consumption levels by up to 60%. Display screens showing the water and power savings in real time have been installed to incentivize shoppers to try similar economies at home.

In the first few weeks since the installation of the energy saving technology, Bayfair can already report significant results from the solar panels installed on the roof. The cumulative solar energy generated to date amounts to 1308kW-hours, which is impressively equal to:
• making 69 thousand pieces of toast;
• boiling 55 thousand cups of tea;
• driving a typical car 1 thousand kilometres;
• preventing release of 183 kg of CO2;
• powering a house for six weeks (with three inhabitants)

Bayfair’s Centre Manager Steve Ellingford is proud of the centre’s show of commitment to reducing its carbon footprint.

“Bayfair is excited to roll out these contemporary upgrades, which are market-leading initiatives and one of a kind for a shopping centre”, Ellingford says. “The new facilities reflect not just the community’s conservation focus, but also their love of the coast itself, which these new facilities are surrounded by and geared towards protecting”.

The sustainability measures have been affected in the bathrooms and parent’s room near the Food Court and are accompanied by a more glamorous décor to reflect Bayfair’s strong connection to the Bay of Plenty coast.