A power company is seeking public input on a proposed solar array it said will generate enough electricity to power an average of more than 14,200 households, the company said.
Juwi Inc. said it wants community input on its proposed solar energy project on Hawaii Island land owned by BIVWR Investment LLC in South Kohala, West Hawaii Today reported Monday.
The company plans to host an open house Wednesday for public feedback. The event is also expected to include more information about the project, including concept drafts and site selection information, officials said.
The array to be constructed by the Boulder, Colorado, company would be no taller than 7 feet (2 meters) with 200,000 to 250,000 solar panels.
The proposed 55-megawatt, photovoltaic solar array with a 220-megawatt battery storage system would generate about 162.5 million kilowatt hours of electricity annually, Juwi said.
The project would be connected to the Hawaii Electric Light Company grid and have a projected lifetime of 30 to 35 years. Construction is anticipated to last about a year and could generate more than 200 jobs, officials said.
"Hawaii is positioned to lead the nation in the transition to clean, renewable energy, and we recognize the importance of community outreach to get the right input before moving forward," said Mark Marion, senior vice president of the Juwi Hawaii projects group.
The company has also proposed another Big Island solar project in Keaau that could meet the annual electricity requirements of more than 11,000 residential customers, officials said.
