Greentech Lead
America: The State Department of Education has signed an agreement with
Hawaii Pacific Solar, Conergy and RC Energy to complete solar electric
installations at public schools on Oahu in Hawaii.
Recently, Clean-energy integrator Hawaii Pacific Solar has
completed the 122.675kW installation at Aiea High School. This marks the
completion of the first of many installations to come in Hawaii for the DOE and
HPS.
DOE and HPS selected partners Conergy to supply product and
RC Energy to secure funding for the projects.
The company said 522 Conergy modules are attached to a
Conergy SunTop mounting system. The solar installation will produce
approximately 174,000 kWh annually preventing 264,600 pounds of carbon dioxide
from entering the atmosphere – equivalent to the CO2 emissions from 13,428
gallons of gasoline or from 270 barrels of oil.
Aiea High School will realize a substantial cost savings on
its current energy usage. The school is estimated to save more than $500,000
over the 20-year life of the photovoltaic system.
“We are very pleased to be part of the State Department of
Education’s effort to conserve energy at our schools,” said Bob Johnston,
president and CEO of HPS.
HPS was awarded a Department of Education (DOE) contract to
install solar energy systems at Aiea, Kahuku, Kaimuki and Waianae high schools.
The contract is under a Power Purchase Agreement (PPA)
whereby the system is owned, operated and maintained by RC Energy. The installation
comes at no upfront cost to the DOE. And, as part of the PPA agreement between
Conergy and RC Energy, Conergy has guaranteed the construction and performance
of the project to RC Energy. Additional sites awarded by the DOE will be
completed over the next 12 months.
“Hawaii Pacific Solar has done more than just provide a PV
system. They have given us curriculum materials on solar energy, a sun safety
program and a flat screen monitor that allows student to do real-time
monitoring to the see the amount of power being generated and the amount of
carbon reduction and energy saving as a result of the solar panels,” said Aiea
High School Principal Michael Tokioka.