The mineral-based dyes that bring color
to the soaps form a rainbow against a back wall, as nearby
jars of lavender and rosemary lend their scent to the
newest product, surfer’s salve.
From top to bottom, the warehouse that produces
and packages products for
Island Soap’s store and online business has a clean,
pleasant appeal.
Now, it has clean energy, too.
With 90 solar modules on the roof capable
of producing two-thirds of the
warehouse’s energy needs. And thanks to net metering,
surplus energy is fed back
to the Kaua‘i Island Utility Cooperative grid, for
which Island Soap receives a credit.
“The initial incentive was the feel-good
effect of doing something environmentally
conscious,” General Manager Jim Psaila said of his
interest in photovoltaics.
But that wasn’t enough to convince him or the out-of-state
owners to make the
investment. Psaila discovered that the cost of a photovoltaic
system far surpassed
his initial estimate of $40,000; in fact, the total was
closer to $200,000.
He said if it weren’t for state and
federal tax credits, the idea probably wouldn’t
have gotten off the ground.
As it turned out, the subsidies took care
of two thirds of the cost. And Psaila said
the final third will pay itself off in savings during
the first five years.
“You have electrical savings within
14 months and then you’re making money,” he
said.
ProVision Technologies Inc., a Big Island
company specializing in photovoltaics,
installed the system over three weeks.
According to ProVision co-owner and Vice
President Douglas Bath, the silicon
panels Island Soap is using are among the most efficient
available.
Bath has been working in the solar energy
industry for 30 years, and specifically
solar electric for the last 20.
He agreed that photovoltaics are not likely
to be cost-effective for the average
business or homeowner without tax incentives.
“You have to provide people a reasonable
return to justify the system in most
cases,” Bath said.
Currently, the state offers a 35 percent
tax credit and the federal government offers
30 percent. In other words, investors can break even over
five years or less and
then start putting money back into their pockets, Bath
said.
Bath said he sees a high interest level
for solar on Kaua‘i. ProVision has installed
three systems on the island, including King Auto Center
in Lihu‘e and Banana
Patch Studio in Hanapepe.
“We’re seeing an acceptance,”
Bath said of the technology. “It’s gone from
the
weird and unusual to the comfort zone.”
In contrast its high-tech photovoltaic investment,
Island Soap continues to
embrace the old style of soap- and candle-making.
While some “soap” products are
little more than sudsing chemicals, Island Soap
uses an antique mixer to combine old-fashioned lye and
oils, including palm,
coconut and jojoba. The resulting solid is sent to curing
shelves where the soap
loafs dry in the open air. From the lip balms to the soap
to the candles, each
product is poured or cut by hand.
For the candles, Island Soap uses a combination
of beeswax and paraffin wax, a
byproduct of oil refinement. Psaila said the company has
looked into soy-based
waxes, but those available were not consistent in texture,
burning or color.
Island Soap’s owners, who now live in Washington,
bought the fledgling business
in the late ’80s from a man who made soap in his
garage. The operations
transitioned to their barn in Kilauea, where the couple
grew the product line over
the years.
Now with a warehouse, retail outlets as
well as online and Mainland business,
Island Soap is a strong competitor among Hawai‘i-made
beauty products — and
one of few that has a legitimate claim to the title.
“It’s Hawai‘i branded,
but it’s made in China,” Steve Mitchell, Island
Soap’s graphic
designer and product developer, said of similar items
found in Hawai‘i gift shops.
While the future of the company is looking
bright, so is its energy independence.
Psaila said the system on Island Soap’s
roof is running smoothly since being
switched on last week.
For more solar and renewable energy news [SolarAccess.com]
