MEDIA RELEASE

Sunetric announced completion Thursday, Jan. 29 of the largest rooftop solar project in the state, which will eliminate 959 tons of carbon emissions annually. 

The array features 17 distinct photovoltaic systems covering the roofs at the Kona Commons shopping center. The 803 kilowatt project generates nearly 1.2 million kWh of electricity a year, or enough energy to power nearly 130 homes for a year. Clean, renewable energy produced at Kona Commons will save the equivalent of 458 acres of forest. 

“We are pleased with the results of our collaboration with Sunetric to create this first-of-its-kind system,” said BJ Kobayashi, CEO of Kobayashi Group, who developed Kona Commons in partnership with The MacNaughton Group. 

Tenants can expect their power at a lower and more consistent rate than they would pay from the utility and it also offers a new stream of revenue potential from the property, Kobayashi said.

“At Kona Commons, investing in solar not only made sense for the bottom line but it was also the clearest statement we could make to our tenants and the people of Hawaii about our commitment to the environment,” he said. 

The massive array is divided into 17 systems serving the tenants of the 130,000-square-foot open-air mall. Each system is net metered, with tenants entering into agreements with the developer to purchase solar power from the PV system associated with their meter. 

Unique monitoring and billing system
 
Sunetric worked with a Santa Clara-based technology company to create a monitoring system and automated billing system, hailed as a model for renewable energy in Hawaii. 

“We are unaware of any other project like this anywhere,” said Sunetric Vice President of Business Development Todd Georgopapadakos. “We expect this monitoring system and automated billing system will become a template for future projects like this both here in Hawaii and on the mainland.” 

The monitoring system has a custom-designed front end, which will be housed in an interactive touch screen kiosk located on the property. 

“Once a tenant is set up in the system, the tenant’s energy use is monitored by a traditional net metering system. This information is then sent to a server and matched with the amount of energy produced by the rooftop solar system, and billed accordingly,” said Jeff Dinsmore, president of MKC Management, which oversees the development of the Kona Commons project. “We are looking at offering this specific system at our other projects in the future.”  

Electricity costs a factor

“The Kona Commons project is a direct reflection of the commercial appeal photovoltaics have in Hawaii’s energy marketplace,” Georgopapadakos said. “Between generous federal and state tax incentives and our ever-increasing electricity rates, the business case for solar has never been stronger.” 

Over their lifetime, renewable energy sources generate far more jobs than fossil fuels per unit of energy produced. Researchers at UC Berkeley found solar photovoltaics create the most jobs per megawatt hour of capacity – an average of 9.0, compared to 1.0 for coal and 1.8 for wind and biomass projects.  

About Sunetric

Sunetric, previously known as Suntech Hawaii, is a design/build alternative energy company specializing in solar photovoltaic and hot water systems. Founded in 2004, the company has grown to be the largest Hawaii owned and operated solar integrator. Sunetric works with local and national alternative energy finance partners to make solar energy an accessible, affordable option for Hawaii businesses. 

About The MacNaughton Group

The MacNaughton Group is a Hawaii-based entrepreneurial development company that specializes in real estate development, leasing, retail operations and various operating companies. The MacNaughton Group has assisted mainland retailers with their real estate strategy throughout the Hawaiian Islands including Costco, Sports Authority, Eagle Hardware, Pier 1, Whole Foods, OfficeMax, Kmart, Blockbuster Video, Starbucks Coffee, Jamba Juice, P.F. Chang’s China Bistro and Border’s Books & Music. For more information, visit: www.tmghawaii.com.

About Kobayashi Group

The Kobayashi Group is a Hawaii-based real estate development and investment firm of residential, resort and commercial projects. Together with The MacNaughton Group, the Kobayashi Group developed Hokua, a luxury high-rise residential condominium in the Ward area, Capitol Place, a luxury residential high-rise condominium in downtown Honolulu and Kukio, an exclusive, ultra-luxury private residential, golf and beach club resort on the Kona Coast.