Sonoco Opens Canada's First Solar Car Wash

A Sunoco gas station in Markham, Ontario has opened

Canada’s first solar car wash. The Canadian government and Suncor Energy Products Inc. are teaming up to convert standard car-wash stations to use solar systems similar to residential solar water heaters. Car-wash stations use an average 69 gallons (260 l) of hot water—roughly the amount used in an average North American household each day—to wash each vehicle. The Markham station is expected to save about 570,000 ft³ (16,000 m³) of natural gas, reducing carbon dioxide emissions by roughly 30 tons (27 tonnes) each year. For more information, call Natural Resources Canada (NRCan) at 613/996-7252.