By Staff Reports
(Honolulu)- – Bonterra Solar is helping a popular convenience store and fueling station in Kahala reach its clean energy goals with the installation of solar power.
Aloha Island Mart Kahala, known for its innovative store design and extensive product offerings, is now powered by 70 photovoltaic panels manufactured by U.S.-based SolarWorld. The new system will generate significant energy and cost savings for the 3,000-square-foot convenience store.
“Going solar was a natural step for us,” said Aloha Petroleum, Ltd. president and CEO Richard Parry. “We’ve been known to push the envelope when it comes to managing our business and offering customers innovative products and services, including Oahu’s first walk-in ‘beer cave’ and our recently installed electric vehicle fast charging stations. Now a major part of our Kahala operation will be solar powered.” Parry said Bonterra Solar was a perfect fit for Aloha Island Mart.
“Bonterra is on the cutting edge of the solar industry and we’re very pleased to be working with them,” he said.
Andrew Yani, Bonterra principal and founder, said installing seamless, turnkey solar on at Aloha Island Mart is part of Bonterra’s continued growth into the commercial solar market.
“With this new system, the Aloha Island Mart in Kahala will generate more than 27,000 kilowatt hours in its first year,” said Yani.
Yani said residential solar sales continue to grow on Oahu, but since forming Bonterra’s commercial division this year he’s seen tremendous growth in that part of the solar market.
“Commercial businesses are perfect places for solar because they usually have high overhead costs and because their larger roof structures will support all the PV panels needed to power their operations,” he said.
Aloha Island Mart, located on Waialae Avenue across from Kahala Mall, is a well-known stop for people looking to buy gas, drinks or food items. In June, Aloha Petroleum installed an electric vehicle fast charger that can deliver a full charge to a nearly depleted EV battery in less than 30 minutes.
“We hope when people are standing there filling their gas tanks, they’ll realize that the Kahala Aloha Island Mart receives a significant amount of power from the sun,” Yani said.