Solar supporters are showing up at the Hawaii State Capitol today to rally for solar tax credits that are helping Hawaii move towards a clean energy photo. Photo by Greg Yamamoto for the Ulupono Initiative. Courtesy.

Solar power supporters, unite!

If you want to keep renewable energy tax credits going strong in Hawaii, then let your voice be heard at the "Power to the People Day" from noon to 2 p.m. at the Hawaii State Capitol tomorrow (Wednesday, March 20).

Renewable energy advocates are rallying in support of legislation that will keep renewable energy tax credits going strong in Hawaii and available to homeowneres and businesses.

The Hawaii Solar Energy Association, Blue Planet Foundation, Sierra Club, Ulupono Initiative, Sen. Mike Gabbard (West Oahu), Rep. Chris Lee and other advocates will be present.

Advocates say that renewable energy tax credits are accomplishing what they were created to do — make clean energy more accessible and affordable to more people. Since the tax credits were put in place in 2009, solar photovoltaic (PV) installations in Hawaii have quadrupled. The solar industry also generated over a quarter of all local construction jobs, according to an estimate from the state Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism.

One residential PV system in Hawaii (sized at 5.27KW) yields 3.2 new local jobs, $106,000 in local labor income and more than $20,000 in additional tax revenues, according to the Blue Planet Foundation's full analysis of solar tax credits and their impact on the local economy. Photo courtesy Blue Planet Foundation.

The Blue Planet Foundation yesterday released a full report detailing the economic impacts of Hawaii's renewable energy tax credit showing that the existing incentive yields a "clear, significant net fiscal benefit to the state."

The analysis, which Blue Planet commissioned from former University of Hawaii economist Thomas Loudat, found that every commercial photovoltaic (PV) tax credit dollar invested yields $7.15 that stays in Hawaii and $55.03 in additional sales, which generates $2.67 in new tax revenue.

Every residential solar PV tax credit dollar yields $1.97 in additional tax revenues, with $5.71 that stays in Hawaii and $34.69 in additional local sales. For a typical 118-KW commercial PV installation, the state gains about 2.7 local jobs each year over the 30-year lifetimes of the system.

"Solar energy is currently a bright spot in Hawaii's progress toward energy independence," said Blue Planet director Jeff Mikulina. "Our analysis shows that solar is also a bright spot in Hawaii's economy and our state budget."

Besides reducing our dependence on oil, Mikulina said the solar industry in Hawaii is creating thousands of local jobs and funneling hundreds of millions of tax dollars into the state budget.

Solar accounts for 15 percent of all construction expenditures in Hawaii, according to the state Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism (DBEDT). Solar installations also bring federal dollars into the local economy in the form of a 30-percent federal renewable energy tax credit, says Blue Planet, with a multiplier effect equivalent to tourist dollars coming to Hawaii.

Plus, solar is gaining good momentum. Blue Planet's analysis shows the use of solar increasing more rapidly in less wealthy neighborhoods.

Read the full study with supporting data at BluePlanetFoundation.org/SolarCredit.

Less than 2 percent of Hawaii is solar-powered, according to the Sierra Club, which is challenging the governor to hold off on slashing tax incentives. Photo from solarenergyfactsblog.com/solar-pv/

The Sierra Club is taking on Hawaii Gov. Neil Abercrombie for cutting the amount of state tax credits available to homeowners and businesses installing solar electric systems with a media campaign it unveiled today.

Under the Hawaii Department of Taxation's new interpretation of the solar credit — which went into effect Jan. 1 — the availability of Hawaii's average renewable energy tax credit for solar PV systems will be reduced by about 50 percent.

The Sierra Club, which also filed a lawsuit challenging the new solar tax credit limits, features "Sonny the Solar Panel" standing in an unemployment line in its media campaign. Listen to an audio clip here.

Sonny stands in line at the unemployment office, lamenting the "good career" he had here in Hawaii until Gov. Abercrombie "went behind the back of the state legislature and single-handedly slashed those tax credits..."

Sonny points out that less than two percent of Hawaii's energy comes from solar and alleges that Abercrombie's "reckless action is putting a brand new industry and thousands of clean energy jobs at risk."

The Sierra Club is also asking members of the public to send a message to Gov. Abercrombie, asking him to hold off on his executive rules and find a solution instead that preserves green jobs, clean energy growth and the ability for people to move off of oil at www.savehawaiisolar.org.

A total of 24 states offer tax incentives for solar electric systems, according to the Database of State Incentives for Renewables & Efficiency (DSIRE). Hawaii is generous, but Louisiana is even more generous. This article from The Pew Center on the States points out that while solar tax credits are being blamed, Hawaii lacks a reliable analysis of the renewable energy credit's future fiscal impact.

On another note, congratulations to Keauhou Shopping Center owned by Kamehameha Schools, which installed a 376-KW system on seven buildings, which should offset about 455 tons of CO2 a year. Kamehameha Schools went with a SurePath Solar power purchase agreement from Tioga Energy. The system was installed by Honolulu-based Hoku Solar.

The year 2012 was a good time to install solar photovoltaic panels, with generous tax credits still in place and a larger number of contractors to choose from. The total number of systems doubled that of last year.

As the year comes to a close, there's no question that 2012 was a good year to go solar — many homeowners took the step of investing in a solar photovoltaic (PV) system to harness Hawaii's sun for electricity. As I drive around Oahu, I notice all of the new solar PV arrays on rooftops, from 12 simple panels covering aging cottages to large, 30-plus panels on newer, two-story homes.

Solar PV systems are still a pretty hefty price, upfront, at between $15,000 to $40,000 (before tax credits).

Even with new limits looming  on the horizon next year (which significantly reduce the amount of state credits homeowners can apply for, with only one per system and a $5,000 cap), the 30 percent federal and 35 percent state tax credits are not going away.

There will still be a return on your investment, though it may take longer. The costs of fossil fuel electricity are still bound to go up, even if they were down for a month or two at the close of 2012.

Don't forget that solar water heaters still qualify for both federal (30 percent) and state tax (35 percent) credits and a $750 rebate from Hawaii Energy, with no changes on the horizon for next year.

More local banks in Hawaii are offering "solar loans" which help you finance a solar PV system.

If you aren't ready to make that kind of investments, you can also opt for a power purchase agreement. Some solar contractors will install, own and maintain your solar PV system and sell you back the electricity it produces (likely less than your HECO bill). Or you could look into SunRun, which also offers you a power purchase agreement, allowing you to lease a solar system installed on your home.

The following local banks offer solar loans:

>> American Savings Bank offers a "clean energy loan" for single-family homes and condos in Hawaii. The catch is that they only offer the loans if you are using one of their pre-approved list of participating contractors, although that list of contractors is growing.

>> First Hawaiian Bank offers an EnergySmart Financing Program for both solar water and solar PV systems from a list of approved contractors.

>> Bank of Hawaii doesn't have a labeled "solar loan," per se, but offers financing options like a home equity line for solar investments as well.

>> University of Hawaii Federal Credit Union was one of the first lenders to offer a "green loan" for solar water heaters and a home equity green loan which you can also use for a hybrid car.

>> Hawaii Central Federal Credit Union. Offers both a solar water heater  in partnership with Hawaii Energy and solar photovoltaic loan.

If it's solar water heating you're interested in, Hawaii Energy has partnered with a number of lenders on the isles to offer financing.

Other options include Enerbank, which offers a short-term, no-interest loan that can be paid in full with an existing line of credit.

It's important to read the fine print and know the terms of the loan before signing on the dotted line. There was an interesting article in Forbes that claimed the average price of a solar PV system would be half the cost if there was less paperwork, according to studies by the National Renewable Laboratory and University of California, Berkeley. Maybe that's something we could work on.

Good luck! May 2013 be your solar year.

Seagull Schools recently installed solar PV systems at three of its campuses, which should cut electricity costs by about one-third. Courtesy photo.

Seagull Schools joins a growing list of Hawaii businesses and organizations to go solar before the end of the year.

The non-profit childcare provider expects to save more than $63,000 in annual energy costs through its new solar photovoltaic (PV) systems at its Ewa, Kapolei and Ko Olina campuses.

RevoluSun installed the three new systems, which are expected to cut the school's overall electric bill by about one-third.

Seagull Schools agreed to a leasing program which allowed it to install the solar PV systems without upfront costs.

The solar PV systems are expected to offset about 7.5 million pounds of carbon dioxide from being released into the environment during its lifetime.

Damon Suehiro, 7, is the fall winner of HECO's Energy Detective Guide energy pledge drawing. He poses here with his energy conservation kit and little brother, Brennan, 5. Courtesy photo.

Damon Suehiro, a second-grader, is the winner of the Hawaiian Electric Co.'s Energy Detective Guide energy pledge drawing for the fall.

Damon, 7, is a nature lover and Boy Scout who became fascinated by the solar photovoltaic system on the Omidyar K-1 Neighborhood's rooftop. He convinced his parents, Christine and Garrett, that they, too, should install a PV system on the family barn and home in Maunawili.

They did — and the result is a monthly electric bill of about $16 per month, compared to $450 a month.

Damon picked up HECO's Energy Detective Guide during a nature study program at Punahou and went to work around his home, capturing energy phantoms and bandits. For his efforts, Damon wins an Energy Conservation Kit which he plans to share with his fellow "wolf scouts."

Oftentimes, it takes someone in second grade to point out to us what we should be doing. Have you heard your kids say things like: "You should compost that, mom" and "Shouldn't that be recycled?"

Damon also enjoys baseball, jiu-jitsu, tennis, swimming, playing the ukulele and has planted an organic garden. He plans to become a paleontologist or veterinarian one day.

Congratulations, Damon!

RevoluSun project developer John Cheever and Dr. Bradley Wong of the Aloha Medical MIssion with a Solar Suitcase. Courtesy Photo.

Ever heard of a solar suitcase?

It's a portable solar power unit that provides doctors and other health care workers with medical lighting and power for mobile communication, computers and medical devices.

RevoluSun, a solar company providing both residential and commercial systems, recently raised $1,500 to purchase a WE CARE Solar Suitcase for the Aloha Medical Mission, which sends medical teams to underserved countries in the Asia-Pacific region.

Bradley Wong, Aloha Medical Mission president, says the non-profit group is taking the solar suitcase on a mission to Lahan, a small town in southeastern Nepal in October, where doctors will perform a range of surgeries on about 150 adults and children.

"We believe this is the start of something significant, and hope to set up larger fundraising opportunities to purchase more units for underserved areas," said Wong.

Solar has the power to do more than save you money on your electricity bill — it has the power to transform lives.

RevoluSun workers raised the money after project developer John Cheever met Dr. Wong and learned about the solar suitcase. Within a week, they raised the $1,500 to purchase one.

The We CARE Solar Suitcase "brings lights, power and hope to health facilities in regions without reliable electricity." It's transformed maternal health care in Uganda. To learn more about solar suitcases, visit wecaresolar.org.

It took 47 helicopter lifts to transport solar panels and other materials on to the rooftop of Kukui Plaza's two towers. Sunetric is installing the 200-kw solar PV system to help offset costs in the complex's common areas, setting a record for the tallest one in the state. Courtesy photo.

The solar photovoltaics market in Hawaii has reached new heights with the installation of a 200-kW solar photovoltaic system on Kukui Plaza's two 32-story towers in downtown Honolulu.

Sunetric is installing the solar PV system, which is expected to offset about 32.2 percent of electricity in the complex's common areas.

That would include places like the walkways, elevators, parking garage and park.

Approximately 6,000 people live, work or pass through the complex every day, and maintenance fees continued to rise, due in large part to utilities.

The property's management proposed going solar to the Association of Owners' Board of Directors.

And amazingly, the board agreed.

"We needed to find a way to offset those rising utility costs, and Sunetric provided an avenue for us," said Henry Urquhart, Kukui Plaza operations manager. "Since 1981 Kukui Plaza has been a self-managed property, and it only makes sense for us to be self-sustaining, too."

Maybe this will set a precedent for other high-rises in Honolulu.

The solar PV system, which required 47 helicopter lifts to transport panels and other materials 280 feet high on to the rooftop, sets the record for the tallest PV system in the state (relative to ground level).

Kukui Plaza should expect to save about $22,870 a year due to the solar PV system, which it installed via a Power Purchase Agreement. After 20 years, Kukui Plaza will retain 100 percent of the savings from energy generated from then on.

Built in the 1970s, Kukui Plaza is a mixed-use condo project with 908 condo apartments, a 2.6-acre park and shopping mall with about 30 shops, restaurants and businesses.

Watch a video of the helicopter lifting the panels on to the rooftop of Kukui Plaza:

The RE Project: The Extreme Green Makeover team talks to 3rd- and 4th-graders at Kaimuki Y about energy efficiency. From L to R, Punahou grads Devon Nako, Colby Sameshina, Julian Juarez, Gordon Lai and students at the Y.

Before heading off to college in a few weeks, six students who recently graduated from Punahou will have made an impact on the Kaimuki Y on Waialae Avenue and students there.

The "RE Project: The Extreme Green Makeover" was part of a project for the Student Global Leadership Institute last summer. The theme last year was energy; this year it's health.

Their initial goal was ambitious.

They were aiming to completely retrofit the Kaimuki YMCA into a model for sustainable living, complete with solar heating systems, energy efficient appliances and lighting. They bartered with companies to supply some of these items, seeking to make a trade.

The list included a solar PV system, a solar pool water heater, Energy Star fridges, LED lamps and CFLs, energy efficient stove, power strips, auto-flush toilets and other green technology.

The four parts of the project were to 1) contact people in the community 2) complete an energy audit 3) retrofit and renovate the Y and 4) promote and educate.

Darren Kimura, president of Sopogy, volunteered to complete an energy audit of the Y last fall.

Hawaii Energy stepped up to the plate and offered some of the items in exchange for every additional 1,000 likes the team brought to its Facebook page. So an e-gauge is now part of the deal.

Just last week, the students were back at the YMCA talking to third- and fourth-graders about energy efficiency. They talked about oil and where it comes from (not anywhere in Hawaii), ways to save energy at home and what an EnergyStar appliance is.

Students, donning green hats, walked around the facility to hunt for high-energy users at the Y, identified by a paper lightning bolt. They looked at air-conditioners, the refrigerator and computers. What part of the Y uses the most energy? Turns out it's the swimming pool.

To demonstrate the difference between an incandescent light bulb and CFL (compact fluorescent light), student volunteers went up to turn a hand crank. It takes a lot more cranking to get the incandescent bulb to turn on, much less effort to turn on the CFL. They learned what a smart strip was, and how it could save energy if devices are plugged into one that shuts off automatically at night. They even learned a little bit about global warming, beach erosion and sea level rise.

Kaimuki Y student colors a page with a tip on how to save energy at home.

Afterwards, students colored pages with suggestions on how to save energy, like: "Turn off lights when not in use" and "Remove plugs when not in use" to laminate and take home.

Noa Hussey, the Y's branch executive, said the facility is exploring ways to become more energy efficient and cut back on energy costs. Some of that can happen with simple steps and others might take more investment and time to accomplish. The gears have started rolling, thanks to the project.

"The Y is about youth development, healthy living and social responsibility," said Hussey. "So this is actually the socially responsible thing to do."

Hawaii Energy agreed to supply an e-gauge, which helps monitor how much energy is being used in the facility - but it may take some time before it gets installed. The team is still anticipating that it will obtain a solar heater for the pool and replace the fridge and freezer in the kitchen with EnergyStar appliances.

What they certainly have accomplished is a new way of thinking and increased awareness among students and staff at the Y.

Though the students won't be passing on the project, they've jumpstarted something positive and hopefully it will continue — and they'll go on to make positive changes in the world. All are interested in sustainability for the future.

Gordon Lai heads to UC Berkeley to study business, Colby Sameshina will pursue environmental studies at Tufts University, Devon Nako studies business (with a possible focus on the green energy sector later on) at Creighton University and Julian Juarez heads to Willamette University. Whatever they do later in life, they'll make a difference.

For updates on the RE Project, visit the Extreme Green Project Facebook page.

Island Princess harvests macadamia nuts from its 1,100-acre orchard at Keaau on the Big Island. Courtesy photo.

The Island Princess Macadamia Nut Company plans to install a 121-kilowatt (KW) solar photovoltaic system this summer at its orchard on the Big Island. Sunetric is installing the system.

The fixed, ground-mount system will be used to power Island Princess' macadamia nut processing facility on the company's 1,100-acre orchard at Keaau on the Big Island. The orchard, home to 110,000 macadamia nut trees, also uses sustainable soil management and pruning techniques.

The new solar PV array should generate 14,730 kilowatt-hours or energy per month, offsetting about 86 percent of the processing facility's electricity, which is used to slow-dry, crack, sort and roast nearly 30,000 pounds of macadamia nuts a day. Peak harvesting season is from August to March.

That results in nearly $62,000 in savings a year (and keeps 288 barrels of oil from being imported to Hawaii).

That's something to think about while munching Island Princess' macadamia nut caramel popcorn, chocolate covered macadamia nuts, honey roasted macadamia nuts and more.

Island Princess joins other businesses that including Costco Kailua-Kona, Wal-Mart, Kona Commons, Y. Hata, Tori Richard and others in going solar.