It’s interesting driving around Oahu neighborhoods these days. Two years ago you would see plenty of rooftops dotted with solar water-heating panels, but solar photovoltaic systems? It was a rare sight — close to only 1 percent of local homes.
But that’s not the case anymore, by the looks of it.
Today you’re likely to see maybe two or three solar PV systems — rows of panels that convert sunlight into electricity — on any given street and on the new addition to that home on the corner.
Though the solar PV systems produce electricity to power part or all of a home’s usage, they typically are tied to the Hawaiian Electric Co. system for a backup supply.
As prices for PV panels drop and electricity rates continue to soar, more Oahu residents are finding it worth the average $15,000 investment, after tax credits — 30 percent for federal, 35 percent for state up to $5,000.
Plus, more financing options are available.
Economic incentives — more than a desire to be "green" — are driving the demand for solar. Some people are just fed up with climbing electricity bills. But going solar is also a step away from our reliance on imported fossil fuels.
Adding to the rush is the perception that HECO is shutting the door on more PV due to fears they would destabilize the power distribution system.
HECO, with Public Utilities Commission approval, set a 15 percent threshold on the amount of PV-generated power that can be connected to the same "circuit" without a study being done to determine whether new installations would create any problems.
"We’re responsible for reliability if a circuit has a problem," said HECO spokesman Peter Rosegg. "If a circuit has a problem, no one calls the solar company or the neighbor with solar — they call the utility."
A circuit — the network of lines that delivers electricity to homes — varies in size and has more to do with substation and transformer locations than what street you live on. For example, homes on one side of a street could be on a different circuit from homes on the other side. Circuits can also vary from one street or block to another, so HECO’s locational value maps offer only a rough sketch.
Before November, homeowners on circuits at the 15 percent threshold were required to pay for an expensive study before being able to move forward on an already costly solar PV system installation. But the PUC revised the requirement, known as Rule 14H, so that HECO, not the homeowner, has to do a supplemental review at no charge to the homeowner within 20 business days.
Rosegg said an expedited review is available on a case-by-case basis for small systems typical for most homeowners.
So who’s got solar PV on your street?
You can find out by checking HECO’s locational value maps, which offer a snapshot of where the systems are popular. Solar is pretty much spread out all over Oahu, from the Windward to the Leeward side.
If you live on 12th or 16th Avenue in Kaimuki, Ala Wai Boulevard in Waikiki, Ahina Street in Kahala, Kalaheo Avenue in Kailua, Mokuhano Street in Hawaii Kai, Pahaku Street in Mililani or Kaiapo Street in Ewa Beach, then your area might be near the 15 percent threshold, according to the maps.
On Oahu, 49 out of 465 circuits are near or above the 15 percent mark. On Hawaii island it’s 23 out of 140 circuits; on Maui, 15 of 128; on Molokai, two out of five; and on Lanai, one out of three.
The numbers show there’s plenty of room for more solar PV panels.
The latest maps include data from December. The next one is due out in April.
To find the locational value maps, go to www.heco.com, click on "Selling Power to HECO" and then click on "Feed In Tariff." Then scroll down and look for the "Locational Value Maps (LVM)" link under the "Circuit loading" heading.
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Nina Wu writes about environmental issues. Reach her at 529-4892 or nwu@staradvertiser.com.
