By Staff Reports
(KAPOLEI) – The City and County of Honolulu’s Department of Design and Construction (DDC) is excited to announce the start of a leading-edge project to build photovoltaic carport structures in the Kapolei Hale parking lot. In addition to providing much-needed shade for parked vehicles, the photovoltaic system will generate more than 1.7 million kilowatt-hours of electricity annually, saving City taxpayers more than $100,000 in electricity costs.
“This project is yet another bold and innovative step we are taking when it comes to tackling climate change aggressively and intelligently,” said Mayor Rick Blangiardi. “Our team is making a common-sense investment in the future, our residents, our City, and the planet.”
“The City and County of Honolulu continues to lead when it comes to renewable energy,” said Ben Sullivan, the Chief Resilience Officer and Executive Director of the Office of Climate Change, Sustainability and Resiliency. “Projects like this will make a long-term impact, not just when it comes to reducing carbon pollution from fossil fuels, but also by providing shade for our vehicles and energy for them to charge, and by mitigating the impact of heat in the area as temperatures continue to climb.”
There is no construction cost to the City for this project, which is being executed through a power purchase agreement, allowing the City to purchase electricity at a rate lower than that of the utility. This initiative is part of the City’s Energy Services Performance Contract with Johnson Controls, Inc., and aligns with the City’s Climate Action Plan to expand renewable energy generation at City facilities. In conjunction with this project, EV chargers are being installed for City fleet vehicles.
Construction is expected to be completed by December 31, 2024. Work will take place Monday through Friday (excluding holidays) from 7:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Construction will proceed in phases, starting with the parking area typically used by visitors to Kapolei Hale. During phase 1 (approximately 6 weeks) of the project, City vehicles will be relocated off-site to allow additional room for visitors’ vehicles.
In June, Mayor Rick Blangiardi hosted a groundbreaking ceremony at the Neal S. Blaisdell Center to commemorate the start of an $11 million project to install a solar canopy of more than 4,500 large-format photovoltaic panels, which will span the entire upper deck of the facility’s parking structure. Click here for more information on the Blaisdell solar canopy project.
The City and County of Honolulu appreciates the public’s assistance and cooperation during both projects and thanks them for their patience and support while we work to improve parking facilities in our community. If there are any questions, please contact the DDC at (808) 768-8400.