Hawaii may be a battlefield for solar energy Posted on 10 February 2014. T

Hawaii may be a battlefield for solar energy

Posted on 10 February 2014. Tags: Hawaii, hawaii solar energy, Hawaiian Electric Companies, National Renewable Energy Laboratory, renewable energy, residential energy, rooftop solar power systems, solar energy, solar energy hawaii, solar energy news, solar power, us solar energy

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State may serve as an example of the challenges that solar power faces

Hawaii may soon serve as an example for the rest of the U.S. when it comes to the adoption of solar energy. The state has been among the country’s leaders when it comes to residential solar power, but solar is beginning to play a larger role in Hawaii’s energy grid. According to Hawaiian Electric Companies, rooftop solar power systems experienced a strong year of growth in 2013, but the growth of solar energy also highlighted problems that exist with the state’s energy grid.

Utility warns of the dangers associated with solar penetration and rooftop energy systems

Hawaiian Electric Companies notes that there are certain “dangers” that exist in the state’s energy infrastructure. Currently, the infrastructure is not equipped to handle a large amount of electricity being generated from renewable sources. As such, theelectrical power generated by photovoltaic systems can be lost as it is introduced to the energy grid. Other problems exist in the possibility that photovoltaic systems are producing 100% of daytime load on the grid’s circuits.

Utility may be using some of the issues surrounding solar power to limit access to new energy

Hawaii may serve as an example of what challenges can be found in high levels of solar energypenetration, but some argue that the claims made by Hawaiian Electric Companies are not accurate. According to a report from the National RenewableEnergy Laboratory, Hawaii’s energy grid can handle the implications of a high level of solar penetration effectively. Moreover, clean energy advocates argue that solar power has helped significantly reduce the price of electrical power throughout the state.

Homeowners face problematic barriers when it comes to adopting solar power

Hawaiian Electric Companies has used its concerns regarding the state’s energy grid as a basis to require homeowners to purchase a $500 permit before they can install a photovoltaic system on their properties. Homeowners must also receive approval for such installations from various sources before these installations can generate electrical power. Advocates of solar energy argue that the state’s utilities are working to limitaccess to clean energy in an effort to keep their businesses alive.