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Hi out there. This is my first time writing on punaweb. I've been reading it for months, and you all have helped me in more ways than I can list. I'm asking for your wisdom once again. I am in the planning stages of building my home in Hawaiian Acres and I plan to eventually get solar power. Can anyone recommend a solar company I could use in Puna, and any thing I should be mindful of when choosing a solar power system. I don't know much about solar at all as you can probably tell. Thanks for all your input, hope to meet you all soon!
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oops, sorry all, I searched a little further back than 30 days, and found this topic has been well covered. Thanks anyways.
Mahalo,
Sabrina
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Aloha,
I haven't looked back at the previous coverage so I may be repeating someone else...
I can say that the only company I can recommend in terms of competence and professionalism is ProVision Technologies. This is from my personal experience with them and with both sales and installations by others on the East side.
Main thing is to do a power audit before all else. You need to know how much power you do use (if you're on the grid to start with) or estimate how much you will use.
Once you know your actual or estimated power usage, you can calculate the size of solar power system you'll need.
Beware of anyone trying to sell you a system without doing a power audit (or having you do one). You're likely to get a system that's not sized appropriately for your needs. That will either cost more than necessary, or not last long due to constant overload.
If you are on-grid to start or are simply used to living on-grid, be aware that a solar system to power the typical on-grid house will cost you a very large pile of money.
So you may want to look into ways to reduce your power usage, if your budget is small.
If you do a grid-intertie system this is not as big a factor.
I don't sell stuff, but I do offer consulting for power audits and system sizing and that sort of thing.
Best wishes for getting unplugged...
John S.
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Thank you so much John, sorry I didn't say it sooner, it's been a really crazy week, and I hadn't had a chance to visit. Alas, it's the week-end! I really appreciate your info.
Mahalo,
Sabrina
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WOW, that would surely drive the price up - unless some sort of safe guards were included in the bill. I REALLY wanted solar HW in our new house, but not at the price quoted. [
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David
Ninole Resident
Ninole Resident
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I have limited experience with solar systems (I have priced some and studied them a bit though).
It must be noted that ProVision is a division or subsidiary of HELCO.
I would not use that as a reason to distrust them, however. They are EXTREMELY knowledgeable, price-competitive and highly professional (at least from my limited experience). Sometimes, being backed by a very large corporation is a good thing -- ProVision has more incentive than most to make sure they do a good job.
John Dirgo, R, ABR, e-PRO
Aloha Coast Realty, LLC
808-987-9243 cell
http://www.alohacoastrealty.com
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Would be nice to hear some price comparison,as an example.
___________________________
Whatever you assume,please
just ask a question first.
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What are the pros and cons of being on grid versus off? JohnS's post above seems to suggest that an on-grid system costs more. Is this due to equipment needed to connect with the grid?
Is anyone completely off grid, and if so how is the reliability of your systems?
A final question. This one is probably dumb but I wonder if people ever steel your panels off your roof. We might be on the mainland about six months a year (at least in the first few years), so I worry tht when we arrive we'll find our panels missing. Does this ever happen?
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Theft, you bet, easpecially with visible mounted panels!
A bottom line complete PV with sell back power , with no battery backup installed by HELCO sub, 45000$!
Theft could be reduced by using the new self adhering flexible roll PV strips.However This wouldn't pass HELCO, thus can't sell back power you don't use!
Gordon J Tilley
