Hawaiian Electric seeks shared solar project proposals for Molokai, Lanai islands
With approval from the Hawaii Public Utilities Commission, Hawaiian Electric put out a Phase 2 request for proposals (RFP) this week for shared solar program projects on the islands of Molokai and Lanai as a means of reducing imports of fossil fuels and cutting carbon emissions.
These community-based solar projects can be proposed by developers, companies, organizations, or groups authorized to do business in Hawaii until Feb. 15., 2022. Once authorized, they will be called subscriber organizations, and customers on the island where the project is located will gain the ability to become subscribers to the affiliated facility by applying directly to a subscriber organization.
After the projects are brought online, subscribers will gain credits on monthly electricity bills based on the output of the project they are subscribed to and their level of participation in it. According to feedback from affected residents, Hawaiian Electric has also limited the type of renewable technologies sought through this RFP to better align with each island’s respective culture and concerns.
Regardless of the island, these shared solar projects will welcome renters, apartment residents, small business owners, and organizations unable to install privately-owned rooftop solar to benefit from solar electricity generated within the utility’s service territory.
