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Developers for shared solar projects sought

The Maui News

Hawaiian Electric is seeking developers for shared solar projects that will help customers who can’t install their own private rooftop solar systems benefit from electricity generated on their island.

The latest application process is available for small projects up to 250 kilowatts, the company announced Friday. Projects that qualify will be accepted in a four-month application window on a first-come basis up to the program’s capacity limit for each island. A request for proposals on Lanai and Molokai was issued Nov. 29 and closed Feb. 15 and March 1, respectively.

Community-based renewable energy, often called shared solar, allows participants who can’t install a privately owned rooftop solar system — such as renters, apartment residents and small commercial customers — to benefit from the electricity generated by a solar energy facility located on their island, according to Hawaiian Electric.

Once a shared solar project is complete, tested and approved to begin sending electricity to the grid, customers who participate, known as “subscribers,” will get credit on their monthly electric bill based on their level of participation in the project.

To participate, customers must purchase or lease an interest from a subscriber organization approved and allocated shared solar capacity by the utility.

“We’re excited to launch shared solar, designed to bring savings and a chance to participate in the renewable energy movement to many more customers, especially those who aren’t able to install a private rooftop solar system,” Lani Shinsato, director of customer energy resources programs, said in a news release. “To get the most out of shared solar, we need subscriber organizations — including nonprofits, homeowner associations and churches — to get involved so that these groups and those they serve can share in the benefits.”

Potential solar developers and subscriber organizations that are able to recruit customers to be “subscribers” in a small project should register at communityenergyhawaii.com, the shared solar portal. Potential subscribers do not need to register until projects are approved.

For more information on the program, visit hawaiianelectric.com/sharedsolar.

Larger projects of 250 kW and above will be procured through a formal request for proposals process. For more details, visit hawaiianelectric.com/clean-energy-hawaii/selling-power-to-the-utility/competitive-bidding-for-system-resources.

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