Dormitories at Shanghai Ocean University's new campus in Nanhui District's Lingang New City have been equipped with solar energy systems to provide hot water for students.

The installation, which represents the largest-scale use of solar energy at local universities, could save 2.16 million yuan (US$316,229) in annual energy costs, the university estimated.

The 13,800 students living in all the undergraduate dorms and most of the graduate dorms can use a special card to activate the hot tap water.

A gas heating system will be triggered on cloudy days to guarantee a continuous supply of hot water.

The Shanghai Development and Reform Commission has budgeted 10 million yuan for the program.

The university finished its relocation into the new campus last weekend.

(Shanghai Daily October 15, 2008)