Solar project blessed at Kona Airport

KONA, Hawaii: The Hawaii Department of Transportation and SolarCity celebrated the dedication of a 112-kilowatt photovoltaic system at the Kona International Airport on Tuesday.

The celebration featured a traditional Hawaiian blessing ceremony and remarks by Hawaii Mayor Billy Kenoi, as well as representatives from the project’s partners.

Guests also had the chance to view the completed solar project. The Kona Airport project is one of eight solar installations currently underway in partnership with the DOT. As part of a Power Purchase Agreement, SolarCity installed the system at no cost to the state, and the DOT will pay for the solar power that the panels produce at a rate lower than they currently pay for electricity. The system is being interconnected by Hawaii Electric Light Company.

SOURCE: Becker Communications on behalf of SolarCity

SolarCity® and the Hawai‘i State Department of Transportation (DOT) today celebrated the completion of a 112-kilowatt solar photovoltaic (PV) system at the Kona International Airport with a traditional Hawaiian blessing and remarks by Hawai‘i Island Mayor Billy Kenoi. The system will provide power to the airport wastewater treatment plant and is the first of eight SolarCity projects to be completed as part of DOT’s renewable energy effort. Statewide, seven other DOT sites are being developed in addition to the eight SolarCity projects. The 15 sites will host 3.4 megawatts of solar electricity generation capacity and should produce enough renewable energy to power up to 630 homes, and reduce the need for 15,000 barrels of fuel oil annually.

“This initiative advances the state’s continued leadership in reducing our dependency on imported fossil fuels and moves us toward Hawai‘i’s goal of 70 percent clean energy by 2030,” said DOT Director Glenn Okimoto. “The solar projects at our state airports, highways, and harbors are a win-win situation for both the DOT and state taxpayers. Using renewable energy to power state facilities is a smart investment that will pay off for years to come.”

SolarCity’s other projects with the DOT include:

• Maui Highway Baseyard. The recently completed 88-kilowatt system on the roof of the administration building at the Maui Highway Baseyard powers the building, adjacent workshops, and a truck storage facility.
• Kahului Harbor. The soon-to-be-completed 78-kilowatt system will help power lighting and air conditioning for the cruise ship terminal.
• Lihue Airport. The airport’s cargo will be powered by a 56-kilowatt system that is currently being installed on its building rooftop.
• Lanai Airport. Construction is underway on a 117-kilowatt system on the airport terminal’s roof.
• Hilo Highway Baseyard. Construction is underway on a 35-kilowatt system on the design and lab building. Once completed, the installation is expected to offset most of the electricity used by the design and lab facility.
• Keanae Highway Baseyard. Construction is under way on a 16-kilowatt system on the administration building. Once completed, the installation will provide power to the administration building and detached garage.
• Waimea-Kohala Airport. A 21-kilowatt system will be installed on the roof of the main terminal.

“The state of Hawai‘i is a national leader in developing clean, homegrown energy and the DOT is making a significant contribution to a cleaner environment through its many solar installations across the state,” said Jon Yoshimura, SolarCity’s director of government affairs in Hawai‘i. “We’re pleased to do our part in helping the DOT, and Hawai‘i as a whole, reach its sustainability goals.”

SolarCity’s PV installations are helping to contribute to the state’s goal to achieve 70 percent clean energy by the year 2030. SolarCity installed the system at no cost to DOT as part of a power purchase agreement (PPA), and allows DOT to pay less for solar electricity than they pay for utility power.

About SolarCity

SolarCity® — a national leader in clean energy services—provides homeowners, business and government organizations cleaner, more affordable alternatives to their utility bills. The company makes it simple for customers to lock in lower, long-term rates for clean energy by providing everything from permitting and installation to ongoing monitoring and maintenance. Additional information about the company is available on the Web at www.solarcity.com.

CREDITS: Video provided by Becker Communications on behalf of SolarCity, edited by David Corrigan and Voiced by Stephanie Salazar