Posted on: Friday, May 14, 2004

Kaua'i car dealership installs solar array

By Jan TenBruggencate
Advertiser Kaua'i Bureau

LIHU'E, Kaua'i — Car dealer King Auto Center has installed the island's largest photovoltaic array, a 25-kilowatt system that will cut owner Charlie King's power bills.

The system has 156 panels, each of which is rated to produce 160 watts in full sun.

The Kaua'i Island Utility Co-op has approved a hookup with the island's power grid. Because the dealership normally uses more power than the array will produce, the solar array mostly will reduce the firm's demands for electricity.

If the array produces more power than the dealership requires — perhaps on a sunny Sunday — the co-op will buy the excess power.

"We want to do our part to support forms of clean, alternative energy. With our high electric rates, this kind of investment pays for itself in a relatively short amount of time," King said.

He said the system cost roughly $200,000, installed.

State and federal tax incentives help boost the return on alternative energy systems, which can often pay for themselves in as little as five years, said Doug Bath, vice president of ProVision Technologies, which designed the system and provided the main components. Kaua'i's high power rates also can speed the payback.

Bath said residential photovoltaic systems receive more limited tax incentives and do not pay for themselves as quickly.

Island Energy Solutions of Kailua installed the King Auto Center system.

Reach Jan TenBruggencate at jant@honoluluadvertiser.com or (808)245-3074.