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Page 1 of 1 <br /> Murashige, Laura LLynoi <br /> From: Jim Garber Ugarber @solarsupply.com] :,, llO <br /> Sent: Monday, Qctober 01, 2012 11:28 AM <br /> To: counciltestimony @ co.hawaii.hi.us <br /> Cc: fblas©co.hawaii.hi.us;jyoshimoto@co.hawaii.hi.us; Brenda Ford; phoffmann @co.hawaii.hi.us; <br /> donishi @co.hawaii.hi.us; apilago @co.hawaii.hi.us; dyagong @co.hawaii.hi.us; bsmart @co.hawaii.hi.us; <br /> dikeda @co.hawaii.hi.us <br /> Subject: Written Testimony, Bill 305 <br /> Aloha Councilmembers, <br /> I am writing to request your support of Bill 305, introduced by Councilmember J Yoshimoto, <br /> and up for first reading10/2/12 by the Hawaii County Council <br /> Bill 305 would eliminate the stipulation that residential PV Building Permits would require the <br /> approval of an architect or structural engineer, but would maintain the requirement that a <br /> Building Permit be obtained. Bill 305 would also keep the requirement that an electrical engineer <br /> provide drawings, specifications and the engineer's approval. <br /> The current law stipulating that an architect or structural engineer provide approval is unique to <br /> the County of Hawaii, and is not in place throughout the rest of our State. It adds approximately <br /> $500 to the cost of every residential PV system, increases the amount of time that the consumer <br /> must wait for the system to be installed, and frankly, is not necessary. The weight of a PV system <br /> adds approximately 2 1/2 pounds/square foot to the roof load, well within allowable limits. <br /> The present law applies to residential PV system installations, but not to residential Solar Water <br /> Heating Systems, which weigh more per square foot. Experience statewide has proven that both <br /> PV and Solar Water Heating Systems do not put undue stress on residential roofs. <br /> The hardware being used to mount PV systems is the same hardware that has been used <br /> throughout the State of Hawaii for many years. It was approved for use by the Electric Utilities <br /> for their PUC mandated DSM programs, HELCO, HECO, and MECO,and installed on 10's of <br /> thousands of rooftops without issue. Building Permits were obtained on these solar water <br /> heating systems, and the completed installations were inspected not only by Utility inspectors, <br /> but also Department of Public Works inspectors, and passing the inspections with flying colors <br /> due to the high quality of the mounting system design and materials used. <br /> Public Works is also concerned about the effects of wind on roof mounted systems. Again, <br /> experience has shown us that this is not a valid concern. I ask you to recall one of the most often <br /> shown video clips taken during Hurricane Iniki in 1992, showing the roof of a residence being <br /> blown off While you watch the roof sailing through the air, you notice that the solar collectors <br /> are still firmly attached to the roof Might the concern about the roof integrity of solar systems be <br /> overblown? <br /> I personally have worked full time in the solar industry on Hawaii Island since 1979, and have <br /> never seen an instance of a structurally sound roof being negatively affected by the installation of <br /> solar PV or water heating panels. <br /> I ask that you support Councilmember Yoshimoto's Bill 305, and in turn support the <br /> advancement of Renewable Energy on Hawaii Island. <br /> I also ask that you instruct the Department of Public Works not to adopt internal prescriptive <br /> measures that would circumvent the intent of this legislation. <br /> Mahalo, <br /> Jim Garber <br /> Inter-Island Solar Supply, Kailua-Kona <br /> (808) 329-7890 <br /> Comm. N 23S/. <br /> Ref. To: <br /> Ref. Date OCT 0 3 2012 <br /> 10/1/2012 <br />