Maui Solar Summit

UPDATE: Due to high registration response, the Maui Solar Summit has moved to the Castle Theater at the MACC.

The County of Maui and the Sustainable Living Institute of Maui (SLIM) are presenting a Solar Summit to discuss the latest solar issues. Anyone in the solar industry or anyone considering a photovoltaic (PV) installation should attend.

On Friday, May 24, 2013 from 11:00am to 1:30pm, local experts will discuss present day PV issues and concerns. The event will be held in the Castle Theater at the Maui Arts and Cultural Center (MACC).

Questions such as the following will be addressed:

Are there circuits on Maui that are “closed off” to new PV systems? Where? If I pay for an interconnection study, what are the chances it will allow me to install solar? Do I need County permits and MECO “preapproval”? How long does that take? What is PUC Rule 14H and how does it affect me? Are we installing as much solar PV as last year in Maui County? What about off grid systems? Are people putting them in?

The agenda includes:
11:30- Why the community wants more solar PV- Mayor Alan Arakawa

11:40 – Ask the Experts
Our panel of experts:
Steve Rymsha, Supervisor, Renewable Energy Projects, Maui Electric Co.
Greg Nakao, Electrical Engineer, Development Services Administration, County Dept. of Public Works
Susanne Knappstein, Project Manager, Haleakala Solar
Michael Reiley, President, HNU Energy
G. Robert Johnston, President, Hawaii Pacific Solar
Moderator: Jennifer Chirico, Executive Director, SLIM, UH Maui

12:15 – Recent changes to the Hawaii state tax credit for PV systems
Question & answer with:
Ted Shiraishi, Rules Officer, Hawaii Dept. of Taxation
Doug McLeod, Energy Commissioner, County of Maui

12:30 – What is the “Proactive Approach”, and why should I care about the recommendations from the Reliability Standards Working Group
(RSWG) established by the Hawaii Public Utilities Commission?
Brad Albert, Co-founder Hawaii PV Coalition and Rising Sun Solar, Co-chair PV Subgroup of the RSWG
Isaac Moriwake, Esq., Earthjustice, Co-chair PV Subgroup of the RSWG
Lunch will be provided for $5 with advance reservation. Call the SLIM office at 984-3379 or email SLIMinfo@hawaii.edu to register.