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The Maui News
Maui's first large-scale photovoltaic solar project went online Saturday on 11.3 acres of Haleakala Ranch pastureland mauka of Piilani Highway and Maui Research & Technology Park in Kihei, according to an announcement from Maui Electric Co.
The project is a partnership between MECO and Kenyon Energy. The utility is buying the power generated by the independently owned and operated South Maui Renewable Resources project by Kenyon.
The project can generate up to 2.87 megawatts of solar power and deliver it to MECO's islandwide grid for 11.06 cents per kilowatt hour. The utility reported that it does not mark up or take profit from the solar power, passing savings directly to consumers.
"We are excited to add more renewable energy resources to power our island's homes, schools and businesses through our new partnership with Kenyon Energy and our continued partnership with Haleakala Ranch Co.," said MECO President Sharon Suzuki. "Such partnerships are a key component in our efforts to reach 100 percent renewable energy for our islands. By working together on this ambitious goal, we're securing long-term affordable clean energy for all of our customers, reducing the island's use of imported fossil fuel, and maintaining safe and reliable electrical service our growing communities depend on."
Key Equipment Finance financed the project through its Energy Solutions team.
Clay Biddinger, chairman and chief executive officer of Kenyon Energy, said: "This project is creating tangible economic and environmental benefits for Maui's citizens and local businesses. We are working hard to continue to develop and operate renewable energy projects similar to this throughout Hawaii, including in acquisition of renewable energy projects from other solar partners."
Also, Maui Electric will purchase power from another Kenyon project, Ku'ia Solar in West Maui, when that 2.87-megawatt project comes online later this month.
Now, Maui County gets 34 percent of its energy generated by renewable resources, ahead of the state's target of 30 percent renewable energy by 2020. The mix of energy comes from wind, hydroelectric, biofuels and nearly 12,000 rooftop solar energy projects, the utility reported.
Last June, Maui Electric reached a peak of 77 percent of its power coming from renewable energy resources, the utility said.
MECO has 70,000 customers on Maui, Molokai and Lanai.