Solar permits issued on Oahu continued their downward trend and plunged 20 percent in February.

There were 156 solar permits issued by the City and County of Honolulu compared with 194 in the year-earlier period, according to data tracked by Hilo-­based Pro­Vision Solar President Marco Mangelsdorf. Seventy-two percent of last month’s photovoltaic permits included energy storage. LG Chem and Tesla were the most popular battery choices.

Through the first two months of this year, photovoltaic permits issued have fallen 25 percent to 318 from 423.

In 2018, Oahu solar permits issued fell 4 percent on Oahu to 2,875 from 2,993 in the previous year.

”With the Federal Investment Tax Credit for solar energy projects starting a ramp down next Jan. 1, from 30 percent to 26 percent, renewable energy supporters are keeping an eye on state Senate Bill 1163 which would, if passed and signed into law, modify the existing Renewable Energy Technologies Investment Tax Credit,” Mangelsdorf said. “At present the current version of the bill would regrettably provide no new support for adding energy storage to existing solar electric systems.”

ON THE MOVE

The Ritz-Carlton Residences, Waikiki Beach, has appointed Rissa Williams as its new director of residences. Williams has more than 25 years of international hospitality experience, including working in key leadership positions at W Hotels in Singapore as well as having served at St. Regis Langkawi in Malaysia and international trade, public and guest relations for the Greek Consulate in Japan.

Hawaiian Cool Water has named Leianne “Lei” Pedro as the company’s new general manager. Pedro has previously served as sales director with Morris Media Hawaii, vice president of sales and marketing at Hagadone Printing Co., audience development director at Pacific Business News as well as a major accounts manager at Honolulu Star-Advertiser/Oahu Publications.