Last week, the Molokai Dispatch reported that due to increased renewable energy grid activity Maui Electric Company (MECO) has closed the circuit to new renewable energy systems. MECO says the move was made to ensure stability and reliability of electric service to residents of Kaunakakai.

The Public Utilities Commission (PUC) for Hawaii has set limits on how much intermittent energy from renewable sources such as solar and wind feeds into every circuit. If a circuit is heavily reliant on intermittent renewable energy, it could affect the reliability of electrical service for customers, according to MECO. Currently, the PUC limit on renewable energy is 15 percent of the circuit and that limit has been reached in Kaunakakai. This is known as reaching the “feeder penetration” limit.

While this news is disappointing, Sunetric understands that the utility has a mandate to provide reliable uninterrupted energy to all residents of Hawaii. 

In many ways, this news can be looked at positively as an indication that homeowners and businesses are taking renewable energy seriously and there is wide-spread acceptance and adoption.  Renewable energy is definitely gaining a foothold among energy consumers in Hawaii.

While we don’t expect this to happen soon on Oahu because of total demand and grid infrastructure, consumers who are contemplating owning their own energy should act now to insure they don’t miss any potential cutoffs.  The time is now. 

Going forward, this will be a concern that will grow until a suitable and affordable storage and load leveling technology is developed that can store and regulate the load output from renewable energy sources like solar.