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AWESC-3 Page 2 July 18, 2012 <br /> • Adds a new WHEREAS clause: "WHEREAS, it is important for the residents of <br /> Hawai`i County to have an opportunity discuss this issue with the Public Utilities <br /> Commission in an open forum and; now, therefore," <br /> • Adds a BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED clause: "BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the <br /> Public Utilities Commission schedule at least two hearings to be held in Kailua Kona <br /> and Hilo, to discuss the subject matter." <br /> Mr. Yagong explained that the 50 percent minimum load is equivalent to a 15 percent threshold, <br /> which is where it is at now. Changing it to a 100 percent minimum load would allow the peak <br /> load to go up to a 30 percent threshold. <br /> Mr. Hoffmann had some questions for Mr. Jay Ignacio, President of HELCO, regarding the <br /> threshold limits. Mr. Yagong explained that Mr. Ignacio was out of town and that he would be <br /> present at the next meeting to answer questions. <br /> The amendments submitted via Communication No. 778.1 passed unanimously (Mr. Onishi was <br /> absent). <br /> During discussions on the main motion, Mr. Yagong explained that if the Public Utilities <br /> Commission allowed HELCO to raise the threshold to 30 percent, whereby allowing more <br /> homeowners to install solar without having to pay for the Interconnection Requirements Study, <br /> then National Energy Partners, LLC would be willing to pay for the required upgrades to the <br /> grid. Mr. Yagong also stated that over 40 percent of the building permits pulled in the State of <br /> Hawai`i are for solar installations. In 2009, there were 237 photovoltaic installers in the State of <br /> Hawai`i, now there are 684 installers. <br /> Mr. Yagong then read from a letter that he received from Mr. Ignacio via email stating that <br /> HELCO is in agreement with the resolution's desire to increase the amount of renewable energy <br /> used on Hawai`i Island. Although they agree with the resolution's spirit to increase the use of <br /> photovoltaic energy as fast as possible, they still must ensure that there are no electric reliability <br /> or safety issues for their customers when there are high levels of photovoltaic installations <br /> concentrated in an area. The letter, however, did not address the Interconnection Requirements <br /> Study that must be paid for by the homeowners. Mr. Yagong explained that once the threshold <br /> of 15 percent is met in any given area, any additional homeowners in that same area that want to <br /> install solar must each pay for a study instead of just having one study done for the entire area. <br /> Ms. Ford stated that some homeowners on solar are using backup batteries in order to be <br /> completely off the grid rather than having to pay for the expensive Interconnection Requirements <br /> Study. <br /> Mr. Yagong announced that HELCO,National Energy Partners, LLC, and others from the solar <br /> industry will be attending the next meeting of the full Council to answer questions. <br /> Mr. Hoffmann stated that he wanted to ask Mr. Ignacio why we are the only county in the United <br /> States that is strapped as we are now. He knows of no other municipality that suffers from the <br /> same type of cost inflation and restrictions. Mr. Hoffmann urges both the Council and the <br /> Administration to move this issue forward. <br />