Solar has record year in Hawaii
Hawaii’s solar-energy industry had its best year ever in 2011 as the state’s top 25 photovoltaic providers installed about 44,000 kilowatts of solar power, more than double what was reported in 2009.
Revenue also increased by up to 400 percent from 2010 to 2011 for companies such as Sunetric, one of Hawaii’s largest photovoltaic system providers. Sunetric’s revenue increased from $24 million in 2010 to $132 million last year.
RevoluSun, its closest competitor in terms of kilowatts installed, would not disclose its final 2011 numbers but told PBN last November that sales were at $80 million to date, compared to $25 million for all of 2010.
Executives attribute the rapid growth to greater public awareness of PV options and tax incentives and customers turning to alternative energy to escape higher electricity bills.
Some in the industry have warned that parts of Oahu and the Neighbor Islands are approaching or have reached Hawaiian Electric Co.'s 15 percent threshold or solar power, but they don’t expect it to slow the momentum just yet.
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