whites brighter.

Soaps Laundry in the Shelly Bay Plaza has disposed of its diesel-powered washers and is now heating water using solar power.

Owner Mr. Wayne Lee is delighted with the system. His washers are powered by propane gas.

"It is not an experiment. I have wanted to do it since I took the business eight years ago but it has always been too expensive,'' he said. "I had the panels fitted behind the business and they are really top German panels that look just like glass. The cost will be about $25,000.'' Mr. Lee said the cheaper cost of the system should mean a payback over three to four years.

He said: "I was having problems with my diesel powered machines and so this is much more efficient with fewer maintenance costs. The cost of diesel is always rising.

"Already I have had the water as hot as 130 degrees so it might get too hot in the summer.

"Of course it is much cleaner that the previous system and better for the environment.'' POWER CLEANING -- Mr. Wayne Lee and the solar power source for his laundry.