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Murashige, Laura CL'itii(4 03s
From: Leonard Tanaka-T&T Electric, Inc. [Itanaka @tntelectric.com]
Sent: Monday, October 01, 2012 2:54 PM
To: Jim Garber
Cc: counciltestimony @co.hawaii.hi.us;fblas @co.hawaii.hi.us;jyoshimoto@co.hawaii.hi.us; Brenda Ford;
phoffmann @co.hawaii.hi.us; donishi @co.hawaii.hi.us; apilago @co.hawaii.hi.us; dyagong @co.hawaii.hi.us;
bsmart@co.hawaii.hi.us; dikeda @co.hawaii.hi.us
Subject: Re: Written Testimony, Bill 305
Attachments: Itanaka.vcf
Aloha Jim, Chairman Yagong and members of the County Council, -'
You have my support of Bill 305, introduced by Councilman Jay Yoshimoto.
Pardon my brievity on this email, but I am catching a flight to Pago Pago for work.
Mahalo nui, _
Leonard S. Tanaka
President / RME ■4
T&T ELECTRIC, INC.
456-A Kekuanaoa Street
Hilo, Hawaii 96720
808-935-9029 ext 14
808-960-5710 cell
ABC - 12279
l.tanaka @tntelectric.com
HAWAII - GUAM - SAMOA
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On 10/1/2012 11:28 AM,Jim Garber wrote:
Aloha Councilmembers,
I am writing to request your support of Bill 305, introduced by Councilmember J
Yoshimoto, and up for first readingl0/2/12 by the Hawaii County Council
Bill 305 would eliminate the stipulation that residential PV Building Permits would
require the approval of an architect or structural engineer,but would maintain the
requirement that a Building Permit be obtained. Bill 305 would also keep the
requirement that an electrical engineer provide drawings, specifications and the
engineer's approval.
The current law stipulating that an architect or structural engineer provide approval
is unique to the County of Hawaii, and is not in place throughout the rest of our
State. It adds approximately $500 to the cost of every residential PV system,
increases the amount of time that the consumer must wait for the system to be
installed, and frankly, is not necessary. The weight of a PV system adds
approximately 2 1/2 pounds/square foot to the roof load,well within allowable
limits.
The present law applies to residential PV system installations, but not to residential ,
Solar Water Heating Systems,which weigh more per square foot. Experience t0
Ref. To: r/CIAA-nc i�
Ref. Date OCT 3 20 2
10/1/2012
Page 2 of 2
statewide has proven that both PV and Solar Water Heating Systems do not put undue stress on
residential roofs.
The hardware being used to mount PV systems is the same hardware that has been used throughout
the State of Hawaii for many years. It was approved for use by the Electric Utilities for their PUC
mandated DSM programs, HELCO, HECO, and MECO,and installed on 10's of thousands of
rooftops without issue. Building Permits were obtained on these solar water heating systems, and the
completed installations were inspected not only by Utility inspectors, but also Department of Public
Works inspectors, and passing the inspections with flying colors due to the high quality of the
mounting system design and materials used.
Public Works is also concerned about the effects of wind on roof mounted systems. Again,
experience has shown us that this is not a valid concern. I ask you to recall one of the most often
shown video clips taken during Hurricane Iniki in 1992, showing the roof of a residence being blown
off. While you watch the roof sailing through the air,you notice that the solar collectors are still
firmly attached to the roof. Might the concern about the roof integrity of solar systems be
overblown?
I personally have worked full time in the solar industry on Hawaii Island since 1979, and have never
seen an instance of a structurally sound roof being negatively affected by the installation of solar PV
or water heating panels.
I ask that you support Councilmember Yoshimoto's Bill 305, and in turn support the advancement of
Renewable Energy on Hawaii Island.
I also ask that you instruct the Department of Public Works not to adopt internal prescriptive
measures that would circumvent the intent of this legislation.
Mahalo,
Jim Garber
Inter-Island Solar Supply, Kailua-Kona
(808)329-7890
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