Ameresco, Inc., a clean technology integrator, and Bright Canyon Energy, an energy infrastructure developer, held a groundbreaking and blessing ceremony for the Kupono Solar Project on Oct. 7.
Located on 131 acres at the Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam West Loch Annex, the Kupono Solar Project features a 42-megawatt photovoltaic solar array and a 42-MW/168 MWh of lithium-ion battery storage system.
It will deliver energy to Hawaiian Electric's grid, and to approximately 10,000 homes on Oahu. The project is expected to reduce more than 50,000 tons of carbon dioxide annually, according to Ameresco and Bright Canyon Energy.
Construction is expected to be completed in early 2024.
Speakers at the groundbreaking included U.S. Sen. Mazie Hirono, Lt. Gov. Josh Green, and Meredith Berger, assistant secretary of the U.S. Navy for Energy, Installations, and Environment.
“Today, we are taking significant strides to strengthen our state’s energy security and resilience, and thanks to the Ewa community, the Navy, Hawaiian Electric, Ameresco and Bright Canyon Energy, we are now steps closer to reaching Hawaii’s renewable energy vision of achieving 100% clean energy by 2045,” Green said in a statement. “Kupono Solar is a landmark initiative for us that will not only benefit our state’s economy but will also bolster our sustainability efforts and local communities through stable, affordable energy, innovative technology and job creation.”
Kupono Solar will own and operate the project under a 20-year power purchase agreement with Hawaiian Electric.
In 2021, the Massachusetts-based Ameresco and Arizona-based Bright Canyon Energy established a joint venture known as Kupono Solar Development Company, LLC to advance the Kupono Solar Project, which is the first project of the joint venture. The project sets the foundation for Ameresco and Bright Canyon Energy to bring clean energy solutions to Hawaii in the future, according to the two companies.
“The Department of the Navy is proud to partner with the Kupono Solar team and Hawaiian Electric as we enhance mission and community resilience and move purposefully towards Hawaii and Navy’s energy goals,” Berger said in a statement. “This is a great example of climate action, building access to clean, reliable energy sources inside and outside the fence line.”
