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“The
time to be responsible guests on this planet is
now”, said Mr.
Watland . “We don’t use a lot of energy
at our small hotel, but we were throwing about
2800 pounds of carbon dioxide into the air every
month from the fossil fuels burned by the utility
company for our electricity. We feel this is one
way we can make a difference.” |
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The Hotel Honoka’a Club,
a Hamakua Coast landmark since 1908, will now have its
electricity provided by a new solar energy system. The
system is composed of 64 high efficiency solar modules
mounted on the roof of the hotel’s second story,
and it will generate electricity worth over $500 per month,
about the total energy required to run the hotel. The
system was designed and installed by ProVision Tech nologies,
Inc. of Hilo, HI . The system takes advantage of the State’s
Net Energy Metering (NEM) program, where solar electric
producers may push electricity into the utility grid and
earn credit for that energy at the retail rate. Jory Watland
, owner of the Hotel Honoka’a Club, secured a USDA
grant that will pay for 25% of the system. The grant and
generous State and Federal tax credits made the investment
possible.
“The time
to be responsible guests on this planet is now”,
said Mr.
Watland . “We don’t use a lot of energy at
our small hotel, but we were throwing about 2800 pounds
of carbon dioxide into the air every month from the fossil
fuels burned by the utility company for our electricity.
We feel this is one way we can make a difference.”
The three rows
of dark blue modules fill most of the upper story of the
plantation era hotel. The contrast between old and new
is impressive, but not out of character for the Hotel,
which has recycling bins in the lobby and an electric
vehicle waiting to escort guests downtown. “The
Club” has a reputation for providing simple and
clean lodging at reasonable prices. It’s a favorite
amongst those attending the Hamakua Music Festival, and
the Hotel plays host to several other musical events each
year.
The solar electric
system makes use of the SunPower Corporation 215 watt
solar electric module. SunPower modules offer the highest
efficiency of any commercially available solar electric
product, converting almost 20% of the available sunlight
into electricity. “Using another brand of solar
module would have required an additional 20% to 80% more
roof area, and we didn’t really have additional
space to work with here.” said Douglas Bath , Vice
President of ProVision Tech nologies, Inc.
For additional
information on the Hotel Honoka’a Club solar electric
system, contact Douglas Bath at ProVision Tech nologies,
Inc. or visit the website to see photos of this and other
solar electric systems. A workshop on solar electricity
is scheduled for May 5 at the Hawai’i Gateway Center
at NELHA, one mile south of the Kona Airport . The workshop
is in concert with the Kona Earth Festival Friends of
NELHA Tour.
About ProVision
Technologies, Inc .
ProVison Technologies, Inc. was formed in 1998 as a subsidiary
of Hawaiian Electric Industries (HEI). The company was
purchased by the present owners from HEI in 2003.
ProVision has installed numerous solar electric systems
for residences and businesses on the Big Island , Maui
, and Kauai
For more solar and renewable energy news [SolarAccess.com]
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