Hawaii Unified dba Go Local Powur is among this year’s honorees for Pacific Business News’ annual Inno Fire Awards. To view the other winners, click here.
Hawaii solar company Hawaii Unified partnered with California-based solar company Powur to launch Go Local Powur in 2023. The exclusive Hawaii distributor of Powur, the company aims to empower residents to transition to solar seamlessly and drive the adoption of clean energy throughout the state. Go Local Powur uses a referral-based model in which individuals can become solar sales consultants by marketing the service to their networks. In its first year, the company says it made $9 million in sales.
Responses from Ryno Irwin, CEO, and Danielle Irwin, chief strategy officer
What’s been your organization’s biggest accomplishment to date? Our organization's most significant achievement to date has been the successful completion of the largest rooftop solar system in the state, a remarkable 3MW installation at H-Power. This milestone not only showcases our commitment to advancing renewable energy solutions but also underscores our company’s capability of completing a project of this magnitude in a tight timeline and with highest quality of execution.
Additionally, another major accomplishment has been the establishment of an exclusive partnership to introduce the Powur Platform to Hawaii. This strategic collaboration has empowered homeowners across the state with access to affordable and sustainable energy alternatives, featuring top-of-the-line equipment and unparalleled financing options. By bringing cutting-edge technologies and innovative solutions to the region, we are not only revolutionizing the way energy is consumed but also contributing to the broader mission of fostering a greener and more sustainable future for Hawaii.
What about your business excites you the most right now? The most exciting aspect of our business right now is the pivotal role we are playing in driving the widespread adoption of clean energy in Hawaii. By empowering homeowners and businesses to take charge of their energy expenses, we are not only facilitating significant cost savings for our customers but also catalyzing the growth of the local economy by creating more job opportunities. Moreover, our efforts are contributing to the development of a more sustainable Hawaii, aligning with our mission to build a greener and more environmentally conscious future for the community. The profound impact we are making in transforming the energy landscape of Hawaii fills us with enthusiasm and drives our passion for continued innovation and progress in the renewable energy sector.
How do you go about cultivating a culture of innovation within your business? To cultivate a culture of innovation within our business, we emphasize a continuous commitment to progress and evolution. We instill in our team the belief that complacency has no place in our company, and we are always seeking ways to enhance and refine our operations. Encouraging our team members to think creatively and challenge the status quo is fundamental to our approach. We urge them to explore unconventional solutions, embrace new technologies, and streamline processes to boost the efficiency of our services. We firmly believe that clinging to traditional methods simply because they have been effective in the past hinders our potential for growth and improvement. By fostering a mindset that values innovation and fresh perspectives, we encourage our team to push boundaries, experiment with new ideas, and drive meaningful change throughout our organization.
