Solar power

[Linkmeister]

Has anyone, particularly on Oahu, got solar photovoltaic power which converts to electricity?

We've had solar panels to heat water for twenty years, but that's all we get from it.

From what I can tell Googling around, solar to electric doesn't appear to be a frequent option here, except possibly off-grid folks in the more rural areas of the Big Island.

[Nords]

Has anyone, particularly on Oahu, got solar photovoltaic power which converts to electricity?
We've had solar panels to heat water for twenty years, but that's all we get from it.
From what I can tell Googling around, solar to electric doesn't appear to be a frequent option here, except possibly off-grid folks in the more rural areas of the Big Island.
We have a 3 KW PV grid-tied array and a two-panel 80-gallon solar-water system. Insolation varies widely on Oahu with location, local climate, and time of year but we generate about 200-300 KWHr/month. Our electric bill is $17-$40/month.

18 months ago HECO had only issued 26 net-metering permits on Oahu but that doesn't count those who are completely off the grid. And hopefully it's grown since then. New military housing neighborhoods are going both PV & water-heating solar; Schofield has one of the nation's largest collections of PV systems.

The federal incentives expire in 2008 and there's usually an end-of-year rush to take the tax credits. Here are two other HT threads that include links to the various state & federal programs:
http://www.hawaiithreads.com/showthread.php?t=13384&highlight=solar
http://www.hawaiithreads.com/showthread.php?t=13869&highlight=solar

[Linkmeister]

Thanks. I shoulda searched, but I was lazy.

[lavagal]

Speaking of solar power, there's a story in today's Advertiser featuring a prominent rabblerouser (http://www.honoluluadvertiser.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20071024/NEWS01/710240395/1001/NEWS01), recovering from a stroke, walks with a cane, who has to boil water to do her dishes and to bathe! Bless her heart! She is a kind, giving and caring advocate for her neighborhood, Mayor Wright Housing, and certainly deserves better. I hope this embarassing situation is resolved soon.