Hawaiian Electric taps developer for shared solar program on Lanai
Hawaiian Electric has tapped DG Development & Acquisition to build and maintain Lanai Solar, the largest utility-scale renewable energy project on the island of Lanai.
It is also the island’s first to offer a shared or community-based solar program. The shared solar program allows customers unable to install privately-owned rooftop solar to benefit from solar electricity generated on their island.
DG Development & Acquisition was selected through a competitive process, where the bidders were evaluated on customer savings, completion timelines, and non-price factors, including community outreach. Hawaiian Electric will now enter negotiations with DG Development & Acquisition on a 20-year contract, which will be submitted to the Public Utilities Commission (PUC) for approval.
This Lanai Solar project replaces an earlier solar project announced in April as a contract was not able to be finalized during negotiations.
Lanai Solar could provide up to 17.5 megawatts of solar energy with 3 MW reserved for the shared solar program through an 89 megawatt-hour battery energy storage system. It will be constructed on 73 acres of land owned by Pulama Lanai, adjacent to Hawaiian Electric’s Miki Basin facilities. It is expected to be operational in late 2024.
Once the PUC approves the Lanai Solar project, Lanai customers may become “subscribers” to that facility, applying directly to DG Development & Acquisition or through Hawaiian Electric’s online customer portal. Subscribers receive credits on their monthly electricity bill based on a monthly lump sum payment, which is based on the availability of the project and their level of participation.
