Big Island getting left out of States Solar plan

[Guest]

Forbes Magazine has now picked up on this.... and still no word on why the Big Island isn't involved! [}]
....
The systems would be located at 11 Department of Transportation sites around the state, as well as at the Hawaii Foreign-Trade Zone in downtown Honolulu. The state would purchase the power, which would be used internally, for at least 20 years....

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Coming home soon!

[Nate SC]

I saw a clip on "Wholefoods Market" how they lease their roof space to a company that installs and services PV panels. The market then buys all the power generated from the rooftop panels and gets a break on the power in a long term deal.

[Bob Orts]

I think topograph explained that the BI does not have the DOT facilities as required for this program. Both Hilo and Kona's airports have negatives as far as making it viable.

Also, keep in mind this is not taxpayer money. It's a private paying venture so it has to be attractive to private investors. If every island is viable and the BI is not, what's the big deal?

Of course everyone is welcome to pool their private money and find a location where the investement will return a profit and make the proposal to the state.

[Guest]

It seems as though the NEW Kona Airport is still in planning stages...

An Airport Master Plan is the blueprint for future construction of an airport’s physical facilities. It identifies the facilities that will be needed in the future, determines how to finance them and lays out the timetable for their development.
http://www.kona-airport.com/

In fact... it looks like tonight they are seeking public input on the facilities:

You are invited to come and participate in the Kona Master
Planning process at the next public information meeting.

WHEN: Thursday, January 10, 2008 6 - 9 P.M.
WHERE: Kealakehe Intermediate School Cafeteria
74-5062 Onipaa St. Kailua-Kona, HI 96740

So if this is the case... why couldn't Kona Airport put into it's plan to have a "hangar" or structure in place large enough to support this?

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[Guest]

Ok... I can quit venting about the BI not being involved.

It looks like this actually stemmed from the Kona Airport to begin with.

The project originated when the DOT researched possible renewable energy sources for Kona International Airport in order to take advantage of the location’s year-round sunny weather to help reduce electricity costs. The solar power project was then expanded to other DOT sites and installation work is now scheduled at DOT facilities at Honolulu, Kalaeloa, Kahului, Lihu‘e, Moloka‘i and Lana‘i airports; Honolulu and Nawiliwili harbors; and DOT Highway Division district offices on O‘ahu and Kaua‘i.

According to this report

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