Roseville, Calif., June 13, 2012 — SPI Solar acquired the rights to co-develop and construct 68 solar energy facilities in Hawaii totaling about 29 MW.
The SEF sites are distributed across the islands of Oahu, Kona and Maui and are predominately ground mount SEFs with some rooftop and shade structures. All of the SEF’s are feeding directly into Hawaii‘s utility power grids.
In addition to the 68 projects, the agreement also allows SPI to pursue an additional 10 MW of projects that are currently in the Hawaiian Public Utility Commission’s reserve queue.
As part of SPI’s global practices and its commitment to local economies, the projects will employ local trade people during their construction.
Hawaii’s renewable portfolio standard requires 40 percent of the state’s energy to be derived from renewable energy by 2030. Additionally, Hawaii has a three-tier feed-in-tariff structure for renewable energy.
Almost all of the projects within the portfolio acquired by SPI meet the requirements of the Renewable Energy Tier 2 Feed-in Tariff offered by Hawaiian Electric Co., Maui Electric Co. and Hawaiian Electric Co. and are approved for development.
The Hawaii Tier 2 FIT is for solar systems developed on rooftops, land or carports that are 500 kW and under that provide electricity directly to the utility power grid.
SPI will begin construction on the first of the projects within the next quarter.
