The University of Hawaiʻi–West Oʻahu is installing a new 96-kilowatt photovoltaic (PV) system for the Administration and Health Science building, taking a step toward UH System’s goal to be “net-zero”—produce as much renewable energy as it consumes—across its 10 campuses by 2035.
The new PV system also supports the goal of achieving a Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Gold (or higher) certification for the building.
Installation of UH West Oʻahu’s new PV system began on May 26 and is expected to be complete on July 7, with HECO validation from July 21 to September 3 to install the new meter and get the system energized, monitored and commissioned.
While power usage upon the reopening of the campus for the fall 2020 semester is uncertain at this time, it is expected to be less than prior to the COVID-19 impact due to anticipated reduction of building users in compliance with social distancing guidelines, such as fewer students per classroom and increased online classes.
The system cost is $437,909, which includes onsite project team coordination and supervision, revisions to the existing structure for electrical pathways and coordination with HECO for system validation. The PV system is funded by a combination of general obligation bonds and EB-5 immigrant investor funds.
Those on campus during the installation are advised to use caution and be cognizant of work and loading areas, machinery, equipment, signs and crew involved in the project.
For full details of the project, visit E Kamakani Hou.
—By Zenaida Serrano Arvman
