Largest PV Systems in East Hawaii Dedicated
Two net-metered photovoltaic systems at
car dealerships located in Hilo, Hawaii, are now the largest
grid-connected solar electric installations on the east
side of Hawaii Island. They were dedicated in a ceremony
on July 11 which included a Hawaiian blessing and comments
from numerous project partners as well as Mayor Harry
Kim.
The 64.5-kilowatt system on Big Island
Toyota and 22-kilowatt system on Big Island Suzuki are
third-party financed, requiring no capital outlay by the
dealerships. According to Marco Mangelsdorf, president
of ProVisions Technologies, Inc., the systems will be
generating solar electricity at a rate below the cost
of utility power, which is currently slightly above $0.28
per kilowatt-hour at the pertinent commercial rate. The
Toyota and Suzuki dealerships are owned by the same family
business which is also planning future installations on
its other facilities.
Hawaii's net metering law allows for alternative
energy systems up to 50 kW; the 64.5-kW Toyota system
qualifies because the inverter is sized for 50 kW. Other
partners in the project include SunEdison, Bank of Hawaii,
Apollo Alliance, and the IBEW. Contact: Marco Mangelsdorf,
marco@pvthawaii.com, 808-969-3281.
Hawaii Renewable Energy Credits Increase
The State of Hawaii has increased the tax
credit ceiling for certain solar and wind installations.
For solar water heaters, the tax credit remains at 35%
for single-family residential, multi-family residential,
and commercial solar systems. However, as of July 1, 2006,
owners of single-family homes can claim up to $2,250;
the old ceiling was $1,750. The multi-family residential
property ceiling is still $350 per unit, and for a commercial
property, the ceiling is still $250,000.
The tax credit for photovoltaic systems also remains at
35% of the cost of the system for single-family residential,
multi-family residential and commercial property, but
the upper limit of the credit has been raised for single-family
residential and commercial properties as of July 1, 2006.
The new upper limit for single-family residential is $5,000;
it used to be $1,750. Multi-family residential property
can still get up to $350 per unit; the ceiling hasn’t
been changed for this application. The ceiling on the
tax credit for commercial property has been raised to
$500,000.
Wind energy systems still qualify for a
20% State income tax credit, but the ceiling for commercial
installations has been doubled from the old limit of $250,000;
as of July 1, 2006, the tax credit ceiling for wind power
systems on commercial property is $500,000. Residential
credits remain unchanged; for single-family residences,
the upper limit of the credit is $1,500; for multi-family
residential property, the credit can be no more than $200
per unit.
State of Hawaii Buildings Get More Efficient
A new Hawaii law seeks to make State buildings
more energy efficient. After July 1, designs for State
building construction or substantial renovation should
incorporate LEED Silver standards, if appropriate. LEED,
which stands for Leadership in Energy and Environmental
Design, is a program developed by the U.S. Green Building
Council. Facilities built to LEED standards demonstrate
superior efficiency in energy and resource use. The State
of Hawaii is now a member of the U.S. Green Building Council,
and has been actively promoting energy efficiency in public
buildings. Also, the City and County of Honolulu has passed
a law requiring all new city facilities above 5,000 square
feet to meet a minimum LEED Silver standard beginning
in fiscal year 2008, except if unfeasible or inappropriate.
Hawaii’s RPS Law Strengthened
Hawaii's Renewable Portfolio Standards law
directs electric utilities to meet percentage standards
of renewable energy generation, including electricity
produced by photovoltaic, wind, geothermal, agricultural
residues, hydroelectricity, landfill gas, municipal waste,
ocean thermal, ocean waves, biofuels, and hydrogen derived
from renewable energy. In addition, under Hawaii's RPS,
utilities can count electricity offset technologies, such
as solar water heating, and energy efficiency measures
that do not generate electricity but reduce demand. Hawaii’s
RPS law was strengthened during the 2006 legislative session,
adding penalties if the utilities do not achieve the targets.
Hawaii’s law requires 10% renewable electricity
and/or electricity savings by 2010, 15% by 2015, and 20%
by December 31, 2020. In 2005, about 6.5% of electricity
statewide was generated by renewable resources, with additional
savings from offset technologies and efficiency which
have not yet been reported by the utilities.
Hawaii Schools Will Have Solar
A new state law aims to put more solar electric
systems on schools across Hawaii. The law provides $5
million in funding for a pilot program to put photovoltaics
on public schools. The Department of Education will also
get funds to hire someone to coordinate energy efficiency
at DOE facilities. There are already more than 20 schools
on several islands which have photovoltaic (solar electric)
systems installed under the Sun Power for Schools program.
Sun Power for Schools is funded by the Hawaiian Electric
Company and its two subsidiaries, which are the electric
utilities for three counties, along with voluntary donations
from those utilities’ customers. The new state-funded
program is expected to encourage even greater use of solar
energy at our public schools
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