The series was produced and broadcast by Hawai‘i News Now and the Hawai‘i Energy Policy Forum, who understand the inefficient and costly nature of our fossil-fuel dependency and want to “educate, excite, and energize viewers to action.”

This year, we’re very happy to see that the series is back for a second season, with four episodes scheduled into early 2013.

The first episode (which is airing repeatedly until July and can also be watched online) is entitled “Pay Now or Pay Later vs. Pay Now and Pay Later”: Perspectives on the Roadmap to Hawaii’s Clean Energy Vision, and explores some important questions about the practicality of clean energy in Hawaii:

• What are the true costs of energy?
• What is the state energy vision?
• Will the short term win over the long term? With what impacts?
• How do we work together for a brighter future for all of us?

Hawaii: The State of Clean Energy — Season 2, Episode 1
“Pay Now or Pay Later vs. Pay Now and Pay Later”: Perspectives on the Roadmap to Hawaii’s Clean Energy Vision

Each episode’s webpage comes complete with a great bibliographical list of links and research to learn more about the things discussed.

And you can still watch all six episodes of the first season and learn more about the series on the Hawaii Energy Policy Forum website. The topics covered in the first season include:

1. Hawai’i’s Clean Energy Future
2. Clean Jobs
3. Clean Transportation
4. Energy Efficiency
5. Food and Fuel
6. Advances in Hawai’i’s Energy Technology

As a result of more eyes on the Foam-free Hawaii campaign, we’ve just added a half-dozen restaurants to our list. We’re also starting to hand out our eco-friendly awards, and putting photos of them all on Facebook.

Sunetric leads the charge against Styrofoam in Hawaii

Pacific Business News — April 10, 2012:

One of Hawaii’s largest solar design and installation companies is leading an effort that doesn’t include the sun. Kailua-based Sunetric is trying to help other businesses reduce their usage of, or eliminate altogether, Styrofoam as part of its “Foam Free Hawaii” campaign.

Since then, during the past several months, Sunetric has been engaging with customers and fans on its social media sites and talking to environmental groups to identify their favorite Styrofoam free restaurants. It has developed a list of more than 40 Styrofoam-free restaurants and is recognizing each restaurant with an eco-friendly award and a sticker decal to display, which hopes to inform their patrons of their commitment to using environmentally friendly products.

Read more at PBN.

Solar energy firm pushes no-Styrofoam restaurants

Honolulu Star-Advertiser — April 11, 2012:

Say no to Styrofoam. That’s the goal of the “Foam Free Hawaii” campaign started by local solar energy firm Sunetric to discourage Hawaii restaurants from using foam packaging.

Read more at the Star-Advertiser.

The study, an updated examination of the impact of tax credits on our local economy by economist Dr. Thomas Loudat, explains in detail how a single dollar invested in the Renewable Energy Tax Credit for a commercial installation becomes more than $60 in returns. The infographic below, taken from Blue Planet’s report, explains the split:

As you can see from the chart, most of the savings come from offsetting the delivery of fossil fuel oil to our islands, which is still responsible for more than 90% of our electricity and the reason that Hawaii pays more for its energy than any other state in the country. With these dollars saved by solar, they are put back into the local economy, stimulating growth and the job market.

The report also explains how solar’s economic benefit is a lasting and increasingly beneficial one:

1. Because solar installations continue generating energy every year, the financial boost is felt for the lifetime of the system, years after the tax credit is first redeemed.
2. The price of oil is on the rise and shows no signs of slowing. “If the price of oil rises to $200 per barrel,” explains the study, “the state’s rate of return will increase from 10.8% to 15.3%” and “the number of additional local jobs created over the 30-year life of an 118kW system will increase from 84 to 111.”

The report sums it up perfectly:

Solar tax credits are effective in stimulating private investment, drawing federal dollars into our local economy, and putting people to work. Dr. Loudat’s analysis clearly shows that Hawai’i’s renewable energy tax credit yields net fiscal gains, producing additional tax revenues and other benefits that are far greater than the initial expenditure by the state. It’s a smart investment in a better, cleaner tomorrow, a future we value beyond dollars and cents.

We encourage you to read more at the Blue Planet Foundation website and download the study PDF here.

The HSEA strives to be the voice of solar in Hawaii, and they work directly with the utility companies, the government, and the community to create jobs in the green economy, save homeowners money, and save the environment. (Learn more about the HSEA.)

On March 4, the HSEA announced a new board of directors for this year. Our own special projects manager Gabriel Chong was elected president of the board.

“I’m honored that HSEA members have placed their trust and confidence in this new board, which includes a mix of past officers and directors who have been instrumental in advancing the solar industry in Hawaii along with new board members who will bring a fresh perspective and approach going forward,” added incoming president Gabriel Chong.

We are proud of him and excited for the year ahead. For additional information on the HSEA, the board of directors, or to become a member of the Hawaii Solar Energy Association, visit hsea.org.

In 2011, we installed a 138 kW photovoltaic energy project at Waialae Elementary School.

And in January, we traveled to the school to meet with the students, show them photos of their new PV system, and teach them about the importance of renewable energy.

We also kicked off the Energy Art & Poetry Contest—students competed on a grade level basis to submit a poster, song, or poem that spoke to environmental and energy problems and what they could do to be part of the solution.

And KHON2 has two of the winners performing a poem and a song. Watch the clip below!

We are incredibly proud of all the Waialae Elementary School students and their efforts. We can’t wait to be part of more projects like this. Our keiki are our future, and we have a responsibility not only to educate them about their ’aina, but to listen to them when they teach us!

The photovoltaic energy system at Waialae Elementary generates an average of 19,500 kWh of electricity per month, yielding monthly savings of nearly $1,000. With energy and cost savings, the school is estimated to prevent annual greenhouse gas emissions from 32 passenger vehicles and CO2 emissions from 375 barrels of oil each year.

Read the full text of the article below or at the Hawaii Business website:

Q: As a small business owner, what are the tax benefits of installing a photovoltaic system?

A: A photovoltaic system is an incredible investment for Hawaii business owners. By installing and owning a PV system, you are protecting all or part of your power use from future electric rate increases. In Hawaii, electric rates have increased by an average of 6 percent each year since 1991.

In addition to offsetting rising electricity costs, tax incentives, when coupled with depreciation, can offset up to 8o percent of the upfront cost of a commercial PV system. How quickly those credits apply depends on your tax situation, so it is always best to consult a tax professional in addition to your solar provider.

Here is a closer look at commercial incentives available this year:

Hawaii’s Renewable Energy Technology Income Tax Credit

This allows businesses to claim a state in come tax credit of 35 percent for the cost of the PV system. In 2009, Gov. Linda Lingle signed into law Act 154. (Senate Bill 464, Session Laws of Hawaii 2009), allowing customers the option of converting their income tax credit into a refundable tax credit at a rate of 24.5 percent.

U.S. Treasury Tax Credit

The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 allows taxpayers eligible for the federal business energy investment tax credit to take this credit equivalent to 30 percent of the installed cost of a PV system. This credit is available through 2016.

Modified Accelerated Cost Recovery System (MACRS) Depreciation Deduction and Special Depreciation

PV systems placed into service in 2012 are eligible for a bonus depreciation of 50 percent, which means up to 50 percent of the cost basis of the project can be depreciated in the same year it is placed into service. In addition, the remaining o percent of the cost basis is also eligible for MACRS accelerated depreciation and, when combined with the special depreciation, allows up to 6o percent depreciation in the first year alone.

Alex Tiller
CEO, Sunetric

For the long answer, let’s take a look at this map, put out by the National Renewable Energy Laboratory[1]—click to zoom in.

Taking a closer look at this map, we get a clear story of just how perfect for solar the United States is:

• With the exception of Alaska, the entirety of the continental United States and Hawaii fall within the 1400–2500 kWh/m²/year range.
• Germany has the largest solar market in the world[2], and the photovoltaic resource potential for the entire country are in the lowest ranges of the chart.

The takeaway here is that the United States is above-average territory for photovoltaics (PV), and we have only just begun to realize the true and total potential for solar energy here.

No matter where in the country you’re located, there is enough sun for solar to work. PV is a smart choice—one that will save you money and save the environment we depend on.

NREL maintains monthly solar maps on their website if you’d like to learn more. Contact us if you have any questions or are interested in going solar.

All of us at Sunetric would like to thank Senators Akaka and Inouye for their support of this bill.

We would also like to thank Senator Akaka and Senator Inouye for supporting the solar industry with ‘nay’ votes on another bill. The DeMint amendment would have rescinded a host of clean energy tax incentives, including the solar investment tax credit, and failed to pass in part because of the Senators’ support.

The Hawaii Senators’ consideration of the benefits of solar power and related incentives locally and nationally as well as their foresight in regards to environmental policy are greatly appreciated, and we look forward to continuing to push for smart energy bills in the future together.

Both the Hawaii state and United States federal governments offer generous tax credits for new solar PV system installations. The federal tax credit is 30 percent of a system’s installed cost and applies to all systems installed before December 31, 2016. Please note that there is no longer a $2,000 cap on qualified solar electric property expenditures for systems installed after December 31, 2008.

35% Hawaii State Tax Credit

The Hawaii Energy Tax Credit allows solar customers to claim an income tax credit of 35% of the cost of equipment and installation of a solar photovoltaic system. A credit that exceeds the taxpayer’s income tax liability may be carried forward to subsequent years until exhausted.

Credits are capped based on property and system type as follows:

• Single-family PV installations: credit is capped at $5,000 per system
• Multifamily PV installations: credits for multi-family PV systems are capped at $350 per system

Fill out these forms:

• Form N–342
• Form N–342A
• Form N–342 Instructions

30% Federal Tax Credit

The Energy Policy Act of 2005 (H.R. 6, Sec. 1335) established a 30% tax credit for the purchase and installation of residential solar electric systems. Individuals may take a 30% credit for each photovoltaic system. The credit is scheduled to expire at the end of 2016. If the federal tax credit exceeds tax liability, the excess amount may be carried forward to the succeeding taxable year. To be eligible for the credit, a system must be “placed in service” or activated on or after January 1, 2009, and on or before December 31, 2016.

Fill out this form:

• Form 5695

Please Note

Neither Sunetric nor its employees are tax professionals. The tax information provided herein is provided as a guide only; please consult your tax advisor for official, professional guidance.

Download the ballot, email it to us, and we’ll mail it out for you and enter you in a drawing for a $100 gift card to your favorite restaurant.

It’s that time of year—the Honolulu Star Advertiser is running its annual Hawaii’s Best People’s Choice Awards, your chance to vote for the best of the best in Hawaii.

Sunetric is Hawaii’s Best, Two Years Running

The last two years have been wonderful—we were honored and humbled to be named Hawaii’s Best Solar Company in 2010 and be at the top of the list in 2011 as well.

Win $100 to Your Favorite Restaurant and a Trip to Vegas

Save on time, save on stamps, save on your favorite restaurant! We know you’re busy, so let us take care of the mailing for you.

(And as always, the Star Advertiser is giving you a chance to win a trip for two to Las Vegas just for voting—your ballot is an automatic entry and chance to win!)

1. Download the ballot. You can fill it out on your computer!
2. Fill in at least 25 categories.
3. Email us the ballot. (One entry per person!)
4. Win! (We’ll choose one person at random.)

Thank you for your continued support and for continuing to make us Hawaii’s Best! it means the world to us!