The goal of the Solar for Molokai program is to offset the impacts of extremely high residential energy costs and encourage all residents to use renewable energy systems. Maui Electric Company is working to install renewable energy solar water heating systems for 300 eligible households. Savings for Molokai residents is 45% kilowatts per hour per system. As part of the the Solar for Molokai grant, classes are taught on "Basic Solar System Maintenance and Energy Smart Living." The classes help applicants keep their systems as efficient as possible for
as long as possible.

Reason for Need

Molokai has among the highest residential energy cost in the nation, at the same time, in Hawaii water heating accounts for the largest use of residential energy. Concurrently, Hawaii is at or near the top in cost of living expenses among the 50 states, yet household median income on Molokai is at just 66% of the state level. Unlike, other islands, MECO's solar system program has not been significantly utilized on Molokai because residents have not been able to afford the units.

EC Support

As a designated EC project, the Solar for Molokai program has been able to use this distinction to leverage significant funding from USDA and other sources.

Photo: Walter Enomoto teaching a class on Basic Solar System Maintenance and Energy Smart Living. Courtesy of Maui Electric Company