Build your energy independence

BY STELLA JUNE

Last December, Darren Furumoto launched Risource Energy as a “renewable energy” company. His goal to offer the latest and most cost-effective renewable energy product line has differentiated his company from the majority of solar companies in Hawaii. “Solar installations were just the start of my energy-independence plan for Hawaii residents,” commented Furumoto.

Risource Energy made history in Hawaii’s PV industry by being the first and only company to offer second generation, CIS PV panels. With knowledge of CIS’ ability to harvest 9 percent more energy than crystalline, Furumoto confidently introduced Solar Frontier CIS panels to a crystalline-congested solar market.

Oahu’s solar industry was also at its peak install period last December because of the state’s tax incentive changes for 2013. There were so many homeowners trying to get PV installed that companies were actually turning away business because they were simply too busy.

This December is quite a contrast. Sept. 6 was an upsetting day for Oahu’s PV industry. HECO, Oahu’s only electric utility company, announced changes to its installation policy due to concern over the stability and safety of Oahu’s grid within certain circuits. According to HECO, studies would be needed to determine whether grid upgrades were necessary for some neighborhoods before a PV system could be installed. And with viable reason, as too much solar power connected to a circuit can result in back-feed that can endanger utility workers and cause outages. Over-voltage can also damage utility lines and transformers.

The newly introduced interconnection studies are a positive step for safety. Unfortunately, this has lead to a standstill in installations for homeowners and PV companies.

With Oahu’s grid capacity issue, there is a higher chance of power outages islandwide. Homeowners who installed PV prior to September 2013 are not necessarily immune to all the capacity issues.

If you have a PV system and the grid goes out, then your investment is worthless unless you have some sort of energy solution like a battery backup.

“Having a battery backup system ready to go, even if you’ve already installed PV, will guarantee uninterrupted power if the grid goes down and is a step in the direction of being completely off-grid,” added Dean Wakatsuki, Risource Energy operations manager.

Oahu’s PV situation, although unfortunate, can be looked at as a disaster, or in some ways, as an opportunity for further energy independence. Risource Energy, always on the cutting edge of renewable energy options, now has an effective solution for Hawaii homeowners.

Risource Energy will be launching its specialized battery backup systems early in 2014.

If you’re looking for professional backup, call Risource Energy and find out how a battery backup system can secure your solar investment and keep you energy independent.

RISOURCE ENERGY
contact // 843-8100
email // inquiries@risourceenergy.com
web // www.risourceenergy.com • facebook.com/risourceenergyhawaii