02 May 2012
The 122.675kW installation at Aiea High School announced today, completed by local clean-energy integrator Hawaii Pacific Solar (HPS), marks the completion of the first of many installations to come in Hawaii for the State Department of Education (DOE) and HPS, which have partnered with Conergy and RC Energy to complete a series of solar electric installations at public schools on Oahu in Hawaii.
With 522 Conergy modules 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.
With this installation, 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.
HPS was awarded a Department of Education (DOE) contract to install solar energy systems at Aiea, Kahuku, Kaimuki and Waianae high schools under a Power Purchase Agreement whereby the system is owned, operated and maintained by RC Energy. Because of the PPA Agreement, 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,” said Aiea High School Principal Michael Tokioka. “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.”
