The public is invited to attend an informational meeting about the Kalaoa Solar Project, a proposed 40-acre renewable energy facility on state Department of Hawaiian Home Lands property in Kalaoa.
Four parcels of DHHL land were offered in August 2020 to develop renewable energy projects, including one parcel on Oahu, one parcel on Molokai and two parcels on Hawaii Island — Kawaihae and Kalaoa.
The site offered at Kalaoa was designated for industrial use in the 2002 Hawaii Island Plan.
Nexamp Solar, LLC, a 15-year-old solar company with projects throughout the mainland, was chosen to develop the solar project.
Nexamp proposes to finance, construct, own, and operate the facility under a 20-year agreement with Hawaiian Electric. The projected operational date is Nov. 2025.
The Kalaoa Solar projects will also be a part of the CBRE low to moderate income shared solar program, meaning that community members who meet certain income requirements will have the opportunity to enroll in a share of the project and receive a discount on their utility bills.
Community solar, or shared solar, enables any resident to subscribe to a solar farm and receive credits on their monthly utility bill that help to reduce their annual electric costs. These specific shared solar farms are reserved exclusively for low- and moderate-income subscribers, ensuring that those who qualify will benefit from the savings of shared solar. Many are renters or apartment dwellers and do not have access to privately owned rooftop solar.
Nexamp representatives will share information about the Kalaoa Solar Project on Nov. 13 from 5 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. at the Natural Energy Laboratory of Hawaii Authority Collaboration Area at 73-987 Makako Bay Drive, Kailua-Kona.
The company states the project will generate clean power and help lower electricity costs for qualified low- to moderate-income subscribers, while also supporting Hawaii’s goal to be 100% renewable by 2045.
The public meeting at NELHA will include an explanation of CBRE and how it works, an overview of the Kalaoa Solar Project, and time for questions and answers.
Members of the public wanting to participate in the information meeting online can do so by registering at: bit.ly/KalaoaSolarMeeting.
For more information, please visit https://www.nexamp.com/kalaoa-solar.
