Hawaii University Nearly 100% Solar Powered – CleanTechnica

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A university in Hawaii is launching into phase two of a big solar project on its campus, and when completed, it should mean that the university is getting 100% of its electric from solar power. Actually, the clean solar electricity will go even beyond that.

The university is Brigham Young University-Hawaii, and this big solar initiative is called the University Solar Project. In addition to providing 100% of Brigham Young University-Hawaii’s needs, extra clean electricity from the project will be used to power the Polynesian Cultural Center (PCC) and the Laie Hawaii Temple.

Instead of relying on rooftop solar power, the university is going into the ground for phase two of the University Solar Project. It is building a ground-mount solar power system southwest of campus. In addition, it is deploying one of my absolute favorites — solar canopies. They are being built in the parking lot in the southeast corner of campus, near the PCC Pacific Theater — not that any of us are familiar with the campus.

Naturally, as is the norm these days, the solar power project also comes with a battery backup system. The emergency battery backup system is supposed to be able to provide the necessary electricity for five days.

BYD–Hawaii kicked off its University Solar Project in 2022 when it installed three rooftop solar power systems, five solar carports, and 7 MWh of battery backup. That already covered 39% of the university’s electricity needs.

Of course, Hawaii is a clear leader in renewable energy adoption. We recently witnessed some of that clean energy leadership while also pushing for more cleantech adoption via our Electric Home Show in Honolulu. The state truly is a special place.