KIUC and REC Solar launched a 12-megawatt AC (14.5 MW DC) solar project, the largest solar project in the state, on Hawaiian Homelands in Anahola on the northeast side of Kauai. The two companies held a kick-off meeting with Homestead Community Development Corporation (HCDC) to coordinate the next steps on the project.

The partnership between HCDC and KIUC was formed in August of 2011 to explore whether a project was feasible on Hawaiian homelands that would mutually benefit the co-op, the people of Kauai and the Hawaiian Home Land Trust created by Congress in 1920. Through a competitive bidding process, REC Solar was awarded the contract for the project in December. This facility will bring KIUC’s integrated solar capacity to nearly 20 MW, and is the second utility-scale project REC Solar has developed for KIUC. The two partners previously collaborated on a 1.21 MW system in Kapaa.

"The growth of the solar industry is due in part to the aggressive actions from forward-thinking utilities like KIUC," said Lee Johnson, CEO of REC Solar. "This coalition demonstrates the innovative spirit and concern for the environment that has made Hawaii home to the nation's second highest installed solar capacity per capita, and we are excited to move this project forward. Solar is a bankable, proven way to grow KIUC’s renewable generation portfolio and meet the energy needs of Hawaii.”

“When the project is successfully developed, KIUC will have more PV concentration than any utility in the U.S.,” said David Bissell, KIUC president and CEO.

The cooperative obtained approval from the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Rural Utilities Service to reallocate $68 million of previously approved loan funds to construct integrated photovoltaic and battery energy storage systems on Kaua‘i. A portion of this reallocation will be used to fund the project. The funds originally were approved for a 10 MW combustion turbine generator often referred to as Gen X or CT2.

“The benefits are significant,” said Phil Tacbian, KIUC board chairman. “By using the RUS-approved funds for solar development, the cooperative effectively shelves the combustion turbine plant and moves closer to giving our members the clean, renewable energy they have asked for.”

A majority of KIUC’s generation today still comes from fossil fuels, but the co-op has actively expanded its portfolio of renewable technologies. KIUC now has a combined 17 MW of PV and biomass-fired generation projects under power purchase agreements. About 35 MW of low-impact hydropower projects are being studied to determine whether additional clean, renewable hydropower can be feasibly developed on Kaua‘i.

In a release from HCDC, Brad Rockwell, KIUC project manager, described the kick-off meeting as an important starting point “to ensure all of us are working toward common goals, and included the environmental assessment firm, the contractor REC Solar and, of course our KIUC-HCDC team.” The project’s next steps include conducting an environmental assessment; assembling a cultural assessment team knowledgeable of the Anahola area in place; and mapping out a job fair and employment outreach in the months ahead.

About KIUC

Kaua‘i Island Utility Cooperative (KIUC) is a not-for-profit generation, transmission and distribution cooperative owned and controlled by the members it serves. Headquartered in Lihu‘e, Kaua‘i, Hawai‘i, the cooperative currently serves more than 32,000 electric accounts throughout Kaua‘i. Committed to reinventing how Kaua‘i is powered, KIUC is aggressively pursuing diversification of its energy portfolio to include a growing percentage of hydropower, photovoltaic, bio-fuel, and biomass. For more information on Kaua‘i Island Utility Cooperative, visit www.kiuc.coop. For more information on renewable energy, visit www.kiucrenewablesolutions.coop.

About HCDC

HCDC is the nonprofit development arm of the Anahola Hawaiian Homes Association (AHHA). Founded in 1982, AHHA is governed by homestead residents in the Anahola region.

About REC Solar

REC Solar is an industry leading solar power provider specializing in grid-tied residential and commercial installations. With a local presence in all major solar markets in the USA and millions of kilowatts installed, REC Solar is committed to lowering the cost of solar power through efficient processes, innovative products and outstanding customer service. REC Solar has more than a dozen offices in six states (California, Colorado, Hawaii, Oregon, Arizona and New Jersey). For additional information on REC Solar visit www.recsolar.com or call 1-888-OK-SOLAR (888-657-6527).