Greentech Lead America: Kyocera Solar announced that it supplied Kyocera solar modules to ProVision Solar that will power a total of eight auto businesses on the Big Island of Hawai’i.
The PV systems atop Kama’aina Motors; Kama’aina Nissan; Parts Center Hawai’i, Captain Cook; and Parts Center Hawai’i, Kamuela are fully operational, with the remaining four installations, Hilo Used Cars; Parts Center Hawai’i, Hilo; Kona Nissan; and Kona Chrysler scheduled for installation during 2013.
Hawai’i, a major tourist destination in the world, has some of the nation’s highest electricity rates. Depending on a business’ size and power consumption, current rates are between 37 and 47 cents per kilowatt-hour.
With such high rates and the availability of federal and state tax credits to offset the purchase of photovoltaic systems, solar is the smart choice for Hawaiian businesses and homeowners. While the cost of grid electricity will likely continue to rise, a solar photovoltaic (PV) system guarantees greater consistency in fixed cost structures.
Since December 2012 ProVision Solar has installed a combined total of 234.7kW on four of these auto businesses’ rooftops. These roof-mounted systems can produce up to 100 percent of the power needs of the businesses, the company said.
Steve Hill, president, Kyocera Solar, said, “The solar modules for these eight installations will allow these businesses to reduce one of the high costs of doing business on Hawai’i for the next 20 years or more, while also helping to preserve the environment of this beautiful island.”