25 years of solar water at Prince William apartments

Don Macpherson, manager of the Prince William Apartments stands with the buildings solar water panels, which heat the buildings water in the summer.

25 years of solar water at Prince William apartments
by Ben Ricetto

Throughout the years people have probably wondered what those strange silver things are that sit on the top of the Prince William apartments.

Though mirror-like, they are actually solar water panels, that pump water through the panels, creating free hot water.

The solar panels work when the sun is shining Water is then pumped upwards and put through a series of pipes in each panel, heating the water it travels through the pipes.

These panels have been on the building for 25 years and provide a percentage of the hot water used in the 136 apartments. During the winter months and at nighttime, furnace-run boilers take over to provide hot water, thus limiting the output of pollutants and creating an environmentally friendly building.

These panels were ahead of their time; the building is an example to other big buildings in Belleville and surrounding metropolises including Toronto and Ottawa. The technology provides approximately 60-80 per cent of the hot water for the building in the summer and between 10-30 per cent of the hot water in the winter.

Even with this old equipment, the statistics still are very impressive. Newer technology can produce far greater results, with solar panels on newer structures producing 90-100 per cent of hot water requirements in the summer months.

Don MacPherson of Prince William Apartments told the Pioneer that within his last eight years of running and managing building he has only had to shut down this system twice, once just to replace a fan.

The idea of making buildings more environmentally friendly is a concept that is starting to become more attractive and more companies are building green buildings.

MacPherson was sure this was the only system of its kind in Belleville, but some in Prince Edward County are classified as "off the grid" meaning they do not use any power generated off-site.

This landmark building will continue to operate with just minor repairs along the way to ensure the production of hot water while reducing its environmental impact.