Andrew Yani, principal and founder, Bonterra Solar, speaks on Bonterra Solar's commitment to provide a new solar hot water heating system to every Honolulu Habitat for Humanity Home to help families reduce their electricity costs while helping to move Hawaii toward a clean energy future.
By Staff Reports
(Honolulu)– Bonterra Solar Hawaii joined Honolulu Habitat for Humanity and other community organizations in welcoming the Naone-Bailey family to their new home in Makiki.
The home, which was built by volunteers, is equipped with a new solar hot water heating system that was donated and installed at no cost by Bonterra Solar through its ongoing community partnership with Habitat for Humanity as part of the company’s Campaign for a Solar Hawaii.
Since it was formed in 2009, Bonterra Solar has pledged a solar hot water system for every Habitat for Humanity home in an effort to help Hawaii families reduce their electricity costs, while also moving Hawaii toward a clean energy future. The Naone-Bailey family’s home is the sixth home to receive a solar hot water system under Bonterra’s partnership with Habitat for Humanity.
“Bonterra continues to be a great partner to Honolulu Habitat,” said Genie Brown, Honolulu Habitat for Humanity executive director. “With their donation of a solar hot water system for our homes, we are able to provide safe, decent homes with quality energy-saving products. We appreciate their generosity and sponsorship to our mission!”
Left to right: Andrew Yani, principal and founder, Bonterra Solar; Todd Hedges - commercial design and installation, Bonterra Solar; William Neverman - sales manager, Bonterra Solar; Spencer Toyama - vice president, Bonterra Solar; Gov. Neil Abercrombie and Steve Valentin - operations manager, Bonterra Solar
Hawaiian Electric estimates that an electric water heater accounts for approximately 30 to 35 percent of a single-family residence’s electricity bill, or approximately $14 per person per month. The solar hot water system donated by Bonterra will help the Naone-Bailey family reduce its water heating bill by up to 90 percent.
“The entire Bonterra Solar team is proud to partner with Habitat for Humanity and countless hardworking community volunteers to bring the benefits of solar energy to Hawaii families like the Naone-Bailey’s,” said Andrew Yani, a principal and founder of Bonterra Solar. “Bonterra is grateful for the opportunity to work with Honolulu Habitat for Humanity to help Island families cut their energy costs, while reducing Hawaii’s dependence on oil.”
Bonterra Solar Hawaii is a leading installer of cost-effective residential and commercial solar systems that reduce electricity costs and maximize returns on clean energy investments with little, if any upfront expenses. In 2010, Bonterra was chosen to be the solar installation company for the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands’ Kaupuni Village, the first net-zero energy community in the nation. Bonterra also was selected by Gentry Homes as its exclusive installer of photovoltaic systems on new homes. To learn more about Bonterra Solar, visit www.bonterrasolar.com.
Seated and standing (on the left side of the porch) - members of the Naone-Bailey family Seated (right side of the porch)-- Michelle Kauhane, deputy director, Dept. of Hawaiian Home Lands and Gov. Neil Abercrombie Standing with lei - Genie Brown, executive director, Honolulu Habitat for Humanity