MEDIA RELEASE
Solar water heaters will be required as the primary renewable energy source for new homes after January 1, 2010.
State Senate Bill 644, Act 204, is another step in Hawaii’s Clean Energy Initiative to decrease Hawaii’s dependence on fossil fuel with renewable energy sources by 2030.
Not all areas of the Big Island produce sufficient sunlight to operate a solar water heater system to supply a household with hot water, however. An architect or engineer may, on behalf of the homeowner, file for a variance with State of Hawaii Department of Business, Economic Development & Tourism Strategic Industries Division requesting alternate energy sources.
To download a variance form, a Hawai‘i Solar map, and copies of Senate Bill 644 Act 204, House Bill 1464_CD1, e-mail Public Works at public_works@co.hawaii.hi.us
For further information and latest updates on energy efficiency, visit hawaii.gov/dbedt/info/energy or call the State of Hawai‘i toll-free, 974-4000, and ask for the Energy Division at DBED&T.
