Clients and Case Studies
Sunetric is the most experienced solar energy company in Hawaii, and every month we offer our expertise to more commercial PV projects and save our clients more money.
Over 20 Megawatts of Solar Electric PV installed in Hawaii to date
Our local nature and expertise offer us unmatched access to regional resources compared to mainland competitors, while our size and experience is peerless on the Islands. Along with the greatest installed base of residential, commercial and military customers, Sunetric is also responsible for both the largest ground mounted and largest roof mounted solar electric installations in Hawaii.
We work with you to ensure an efficient and successful installation
We work closely with you or your architect, engineer and contractor to design and install your solar energy system.
Recent Projects
Y. Hata & Co., Ltd.
Sand Island, Oahu
600 kW, Roof-mounted
962,140 kWh
October 2010
We are committed to maintaining a state-of-the art facility, so installing a photovoltaic solar system with the help of Sunetric, the industry’s experts, is right on target. In essence, our customers will benefit as we provide them with the most cost-effective reliable service available.
Kurt Fey, VP of Operations, Y. Hata & Co., Ltd.
Hawaii’s premier foodservice distributor, Y. Hata & Co., Ltd. is distributing more than just food and restaurant supplies. Sunetric, the state’s largest locally owned-and-operated solar company, has installed Hawaii’s largest roof-mounted photovoltaic (PV) solar systems on Y. Hata’s warehouse on Sand Island, Oahu. The 600 kW installation stands to be the largest on Oahu in 2010, allowing Y. Hata & Co. to redistribute the sun’s energy for more than 25 years.
The $2.5-million system will include 2,616 230-watt solar modules on Y. Hata’s rooftop space. The system is estimated to produce an average of 2,636 kWh of electricity each day, allowing Y. Hata to offset 22 percent of its current electricity usage. “This system will make a positive impact on Y. Hata’s business and a huge impact on Hawaii’s environment,” says Marc Unowitz, Sunetric energy consultant. Over the next 30 years, Y. Hata’s PV system is estimated to prevent approximately 23,000 tons of carbon dioxide emissions from entering Hawaii’s air annually; this is about the same pollution generated by 15-million car trips to the local grocery store.
Sunetric designed the 600 kilowatt system, which will result in over 45 million fewer pounds of carbon dioxide emissions and 48,107 fewer barrels of oil consumed over the life of the system.
Kona Brewing Company
Kailua-Kona, Hawaii
229 kW, Roof-mounted
336,530 kWh
August 2010
The install went smooth, thanks to the expert guidance provided by Sunetric. Now, we are the first brewery in Hawaii making sun-powered beer, and our system is among the largest in the craft beer industry nationwide. It’s a great feeling!
Mattson Davis, Kona Brewing Company President & CEO
Hawaii’s largest brewery, Kona Brewing Company, is a Hawaii-born and Hawaii-based craft brewery that prides itself on brewing the freshest beer of exceptional quality, closest to market. This helps to minimize its carbon footprint by reducing shipping of raw materials, finished beer and wasteful packaging materials. Continuing this mindset, in August of 2010, they partnered with Sunetric, Hawaii’s largest owned and operated solar energy contractor. Sunetric installed a photovoltaic (PV) system, one of largest systems in the beer industry, at Kona Brewing Company’s Kailua-Kona brewery and pub on Hawaii’s Big Island. At the current commercial retail electricity rate, The system will offset Kona Brewing Company’s electrical usage by nearly 60 percent and more than $100,000 in electricity expenditures per year. At the entrance to the restaurant, Kona Brewing Company patrons can check out a real-time monitor that shows how much energy the solar system is generating.
“Kona Brewing Company should be proud of the environmental impact it’s making in our islands,” said Sunetric CEO Alex Tiller. “Thanks to forward-thinking organizations such as this, Hawaii will reduce its dependence on imported fossil fuel.” PV solar energy is a clean and renewable energy source. It does not pollute or consume natural resources. Sunetric estimates Kona Brewing Company’s PV system will prevent approximately 16,830 barrels of oil from being shipped to Hawaii over the lifetime of the system.
Tori Richard, Ltd.
Honolulu, Oahu
154kW
314,776 kWh
October 2008
While it feels nice to make ‘green’ decisions, the fact is, PV installation makes simple economic sense. Without the significant cost savings PV provides, this would not be possible. We look forward to many more local businesses joining us in making the switch to alternative energy.
Josh Feldman, Tori Richard CEO
Honolulu-based apparel company Tori Richard installed a commercial photovoltaic system in 2008, making them the first major manufacturer in the United States to derive virtually all of their power from solar energy. Drawing from 676 PV panels on the roof of its headquarters in Kalihi, the $1.1 million project provides 94% of the resort-wear company’s power.
Tori Richard was founded in Honolulu in 1956, and its apparel can be found in more than 2,500 stores worldwide, as well as at its vertically integrated retail locations in Hawaii. The company reports that it has taken several measures over the years to reduce its electricity consumption, including switching to low-energy lighting, upgrading its air-conditioning systems, and installing reflective roof coatings. “Going to a photovoltaic system was a huge commitment, but also a natural step for us; not only does it help the environment, it significantly helps our bottom line,” said Josh Feldman, Tori Richard owner and CEO.
Sunetric designed the 154 kilowatt system, which will result in nearly 300,000 fewer pounds of carbon dioxide emissions and 4,356 fewer barrels of oil consumed over the life of the system.
Kona Commons
Kailua-Kona, Big Island
803 kW
1,524,000 kWh
December 2008
Sustainable building practices are consistent with the corporate culture we’ve built as an environmentally responsible developer. At Kona Commons investing in solar not only made sense for the bottom line but it was also the clearest statement we could make to our tenants and the people of Hawaii about our commitment to the environment.
BJ Kobayashi, Kobayashi Group CEO
Sunetric completed installation of Hawaii’s largest rooftop solar project for Kona Commons in December, 2008. The 803-kilowatt project in Kailua-Kona generates 1.5 million kilowatt-hours of electricity a year. The system that Sunetric created for Kona Commons is the first of its kind — it was designed so the owners could sell solar energy to tenants. Sunetric President Sean Mullen explains, “The challenging and exciting angle to this project was that Sunetric was in mostly uncharted waters executing the design. Our team engineered an innovative and comprehensive solution for Kona Commons and have been monitoring and sending monthly bills since the system’s completion.”
The Kobayashi Group and MKC Management have been extremely satisfied with the results of this project and have become a strong supporter of solar in Hawaii. “Going green in partnership with a local company like Sunetric is a meaningful step that Hawaii’s businesses can take to develop the local economy by supporting Hawaii’s growing alternative energy industry,” said MKC Management President Jeff Dinsmore.
Wilcox Memorial Hospital
Lihue, Kauai
504kW
846,000 kWh
December 2008
In late December 2008 Sunetric completed installation of a Solar Photovoltaic Farm at Wilcox Memorial Hospital on Kauai. The Solar Farm is located in the employee back parking lot; with a total of 2,190 solar panels connected to 3 inverters — with a rating of 504 kilowatts. In only 45 days, Sunetric designed and installed Hawaii’s second largest Solar PV Ground Mount System.
During peak sun hours, the system produces enough energy to meet about 52% of Wilcox’s electricity needs (overall it offsets approximately 13%). The project, by Hawaii Pacific Health Partners, is the first of its kind at a Hawaii hospital and the second largest solar farm in the state. Ray Vara, CEO of operations at Hawaii Pacific Health, said the system as installed to reduce and stabilize Wilcox’s utility costs. The farm, built on 1.4 acres of land next to the hospital, will generate 846,216 kilowatt hours a year, enough to power 85 homes, and will save the hospital more than $200,000 a year.
The system will eliminate 670 tons of carbon dioxide emissions a year and save 1,100 barrels of oil from being used.
D. Otani Produce
Honolulu, Oahu
223kW
377,673 kWh
November 2008
We rely heavily on electricity because we have a one-acre refrigeration system that keeps our produce fresh. Unfortunately, with the rising cost of oil, our electricity bill more than doubled since 2006 so we needed to do something quickly that would help us to reduce our electricity bill.
In November, 2008 Sunetric successfully designed and installed this 223kW high-efficiency PV installation at D. Otani Produce in Kalihi, Hawaii. The project consists of 1,224 panels which took seven weeks to install and produces enough energy for around 40 homes for one year.
With the system becoming operational at the beginning of November, 2008, D.Otani Produce hopes to save around 20 percent off its monthly electricity bill — roughly $80,000 per year.
“This was the largest PV system we had installed to date on Oahu, and we were able to do it in less than two months,” Sunetric, President, Sean Mullen. “After meeting with Dwight, our engineers developed a tailored solution that met D. Otani’s energy needs, while our crews were able to retrofit the system seamlessly into the existing roof structure.”
Actus Lend Lease
Schofield Barracks, Fort Shafter, Hickam AFB, Bellows AFB, Aliamanu Military Reservation, OAHU
1.9 MW
2,400 MWh
2006-2009
Actus Lend Lease holds long term contracts to own and manage housing on five Army and Air Force installations on Oahu. The company approached Sunetric seeking to reduce operating costs and encourage conservation among its tenants by supplanting a flat access charge for electricity with billing based on usage.
Forest City Enterprises
Halset Terrace, OAHU
107 kW
180 MWh
2008
Forest City Enterprises approached Sunetric for a pilot PV system to power a new community center in its Halsey Terrace Military housing privatization project. The company needed an extremely tight turnaround, which forced Suntech Hawaii to undertake a 45 day construction schedule based only on a notice to proceed. The project was formally opened by Governor Lingle.
Honda Windward Auto Spa
Kaneohe, OAHU
106 kW
120 MWh
2007
Sunetric’s design maximizes the productive capacity of this commercial roof in cloudy Kaneohe. It does so by covering a series of small roof planes with pitch-specific sub-arrays and pairing them with individual inverters. The 106kW (DC PTC) system supplies more than 40 percent of the facility’s power needs and identifies Honda Windward as an environmental leader among Oahu’s auto retailers.
