07-17-2015, 10:00 AM
Their wholesale IPP rate to HELCO is pretty good for a solar PV system, they were averaging about 43 cents/kilowatt-hr a few years ago. The only thing is oil is down to the point the average is 16.7 cents/kilowatt-hr for residential rate right now. This island's electric rate is still 50% from burning oil plants. There is the prospect electric rates from oil will go down to single digit next year. The only competitive price source of power would then be hydroelectric, not much availability, and geothermal, available in many more areas. HOVE needs the power and that is the most economical way to get it around that solar power plant. That is the thing, look around it and see why that power is needed there.
"Aloha also means goodbye. Aloha!"
"Aloha also means goodbye. Aloha!"
*Japanese tourist on bus through Pahoa, "Is this still America?*