The U.S. Dept. of Energy awarded $6.1 million to the University of Hawaii for its solar PV systems, one on Maui and the other, under the umbrella of Oklahoma Gas & Electric (OGE), on the mainland. The plan is to develop and demonstrate utility-controlled smart grid-enabled inverters under the Advanced Concepts section.
County Saves $ with Solar
WAILUKU – Maui County awarded contracts this month to install at least 1,000 solar panels on the rooftops of county facilities on Maui and Lanai. The county will provide the rooftop locations, while the contractors will install and set up the solar power systems at no upfront cost to the county. County Energy Commissioner Doug […]
Proposed Kula PV facility
Moses Medeiros,of Applied Technical Services in Kihei, told the Maui News that he is consulting on a project to explore building a 30-acre PV with low-profile, mini wind turbines in a former Upcountry pineapple field. According to the Maui News, the anonymous group is keeping their identities secret until their permits and contracts are in […]
Governor Signs House Bill 1520
Governor Abercrombie signed House Bill 1520. This bill is intended to help more homeowners and renters access and afford clean energy by allowing them to pay for the cost of renewable energy and conservation projects which lower their electric consumption on their electric bill. Similar programs have been set up in other states. HB 1520 directs the […]
Status of Hawai’i Solar Incentives
Homeowners in Honolulu, Maui and Hawaii counties are no longer able to claim a $1,000 instant rebate for the installation of solar water heating systems because federal funding for the program has been exhausted. However, there is still a $750 rebate available to those who choose to finance their solar water heating systems with a […]
Solar Ready Roofs Bill
SB181 Solar Ready Homes – would require new homes to incorporate design elements to make solar panels more easily installed whenever the new owner is ready to take the plunge. This will definitely help to make solar more affordable by eliminating the need for expensive retrofits. Conference committee will reconvene on 4/27/2011 3:40 PM in […]