Firms hatch bright idea - Keaau business installs the largest photovoltaic
sign in state

by Kristin Hashimoto
Tribune-Herald Correspondent

Using more than 200 photovoltaic cells, ProVision Solar spelled out the word "recycle" on the roof of Business Services Hawaii in Keaau. The solar power captured by the panels has helped Business Services Hawaii significantly reduce its electricity bills. Despite the bad economy, two Big Island entrepreneurs have helped each other "go green" to save money. Shon Pauhio, CEO of Business Services Hawaii, and Marco Mangelsdorf, co-owner of ProVision Solar, Inc,, conceptualized and installed the largest photovoltaic sign in the state, Mangelsdorf said. Over 200 photovoltaic cells -- commonly called solar panels -- were used to spell out the word "RECYCLE" on the roof of Pauhio's wasteprocessing plant at Shipman Industrial Park in Keaau. The installation is 250 feet long and 60 feet wide. "It's like a football field up there," Mangelsdorf said. Each cell collects solar power that is then converted and used by the plant. Although energy collection is most efficient in sun-heavy environments, Pauhio reported a significant decrease in his monthly utility bill during Hilo's cloud-heavy month of December. "I think our electric bill was over $4,000 a month (before the installation), and now it's $2,000," he said. In addition to cost savings, Pauhio can sleep a little better at night. "I did not feel comfortable leaving such a large carbon footprint," he said. His plant consumes 300 kilowatts of electricity per day. With the addition of the ProVision Solar system, the plant is producing about 5,000 watts of electricity. Pauhio is looking forward to long summer days, when the installation can be fully utilized. The cost of the ProVision installation was around $600,000. For Pauhio, the system is a long-term investment. It is also a very good tax credit. Mangelsdorf said that the incentives for businesses to adopt photovoltaic systems are even "juicier" than for homeowners. Roughly two-thirds of the $600,000 will be covered by state and federal tax credits, according to Mangelsdorf. While Pauhio won't be getting a $400,000 check, he will be credited on the taxes he files for his business in fiscal year 2008. Whatever tax credit amount goes unused carries over to the following year. Big Island residents are accepting photovoltaic systems relatively quickly in comparison to neighboring islands. "I would estimate that the total number of grid systems on the Big Island ... was somewhere right around 400," said Mangelsdorf. While businesses are afforded enticing tax credits for adopting photovoltaic systems, residences also have considerable state and federal credits. Mangelsdorf said that an average residential photovoltaic system costing $25,000 will be offset by state and federal tax credits by 50 percent. "The time to buy a PV system has never been better, and I've been involved in PV systems for 30 years," he said. It seems that other businesses and homeowners feel that they too should jump on the photovoltaic bandwagon. "We've lined up close to a million dollars worth of confirmed sales for 2009 already," Mangelsdorf said. His company has grown steadily in the past five years and services clients statewide. "We've done record business in 2004 through 2008," he said. Both companies strive to create a more sustainable Hawaii. When asked what one person could do to reduce their refuse and live more ecologically friendly, Pauhio recommended that "everyone get a pair of gloves and rip open a bag of garbage in your house and see everything that doesn't have to go to the landfill." Pauhio said people will be surprised with how much of their waste can be reduced if they compost and recycle. "It will be an eye opener for people," he said. Pauhio is dismayed that many people don't think of garbage beyond the point of tossing it into the landfill. "I think a lot of us don't realize how small this island is. We grew up here, it's the Big Island, so we got a lot of land compared to the other islands ... but we just need to realize that all the land is valuable," he said. For more information about the recycling, hauling and shredding services of Business Services Hawaii, call 960-7520. To contact ProVision Solar and inquire about photovoltaic technology, call 969-3281. For more solar and renewable energy news [SolarAccess.com]