Hawaiian Energy Systems, Inc. and Centrosolar America announced on Dec. 3 the completion of a 243 kW solar power system at the Sacred Hearts Academy in Honolulu, a prestigious, non-profit, all-girls private school that has been facing enormous electricity bills in recent years as Hawaii's energy costs continue to rise.
The rooftop installation will reduce the school's energy costs, which have exceeded $350,000 thousand annually in recent years, by approximately 33%.
"Hawaii's energy costs are the highest in the nation, and now, with their new solar installation, Sacred Hearts Academy can significantly reduce its operating costs by reducing its utility bills. And, through a 10-year operational lease, there was no upfront cost to the academy for the installation," said Hawaiian Energy Systems VP of Sales & Marketing Chris Brashear.
The system was designed and installed by Hawaiian Energy Systems, Inc. and includes 200 Centrosolar America 240 watt C-series modules and 823 of its 250 watt E-series modules, both with black frames. Both of these module series have passed rigorous 3rd party salt spray testing.
"The Centrosolar panels are an ideal fit for installations in Hawaii because of their suitability for use in coastal applications. They are designed to withstand the kinds of adverse weather and environmental conditions found on the Islands – like high winds and the corrosive effects of salt spray," said Brashear.
The project includes multiple solar arrays with three different orientations to ensure optimal power production over the course of the school day. The project also features Enphase M215 micro-inverters on the rooftop location to generate AC power at a safe distance from the students, with no high voltage components near the playgrounds or classrooms.
The new solar array and monitoring system are also being integrated into the campus curriculum as a teaching tool for students to learn about renewable energy.
