by Shane Henson — January 25, 2013—Officials from Kamehameha Schools, Tioga Energy, and Hoku Solar recently unveiled a new solar energy project for the Keauhou Shopping Center in Hawaii. Comprising solar electric systems installed on seven buildings in the shopping center, the 376-kilowatt Keauhou Shopping Center photovoltaics (PV) systems are reportedly one of the largest commercial solar electric projects on the island of Hawai’i.
As Tioga Energy notes, solar power technology significantly reduces the financial and environmental costs of generating and using conventional electricity. Overall, the project will offset the production of approximately 455 tons of carbon dioxide (CO2) annually, which equates to some 989,000 vehicle miles not traveled or 52,000 gallons of gasoline conserved, says Tioga Energy.
To implement the project, Kamehameha Schools utilized a SurePath Solar power purchase agreement from Tioga Energy, enabling the organization to avoid the costs and complexities of system ownership. Tioga Energy developed, financed, owns, operates and maintains the systems and will sell the generated solar electricity to Kamehameha Schools, says the company.
