is solar right for your business? power your business with solar
electricity costs and Hawaii’s business community
Suntech Hawaii is helping businesses like yours convert from
oil prices are chipping away your profits
petroleum-derived electricity to clean, economically-feasible solar electricity. Our success is based on our ability to manage
Nowhere in the country are business profits so closely tied to
each project from start to finish, providing complete control and
electricity rates. According to the Department of Energy, Hawaii’s
accountability over each stage of the process, from analysis and
commercial electricity rates are the highest in the country and
design to installation and beyond.
more than double the national average (Fig. 1a). 1b). Statewide, retail electricity rates rose 130
Commercial Commercial Residential Residential
Fig. 1a
will use our knowledge of the solar
25
Commercial
energy industry to help you select the system that delivers the best value for
25
your particular circumstances. And,
20
we’ll help you secure the appropriate
15
financing option for your firm’s goals,
10
needs, and constraints.
Neighbor island rates are especially high (Figure
Hawaii Electric Rates vs. U.S. Mainland/California
If solar is right for you, Suntech Hawaii
20
25
15
15
10
10
5
5
0
38
15 provides 10 the
generous tax incentives along
way. For those who want to avoid
5 capital
expenditures entirely, we offer
0 power purchase agreements (PPAs) U.S. California Hawaii
that
allow users to simply purchase electricity produced on-site for a fixed period of time at a guaranteed rate. In between
34
30
30
Whereas of32the country gets just 3 percent 32 38 the rest of its36 electricity 28 from 28 petroleum, Hawaii gets 78
0 U.S.
U.S. California California Hawaii34Hawaii
Maui
Big Maui Island Big Kauai Island
Kauai Molokai
Molokai
percent (Fig. 2). This imbalance leaves electricity rates unusually vulnerable to the future oil price
0
increases predicted by leading investment firms 28
30
California
Hawaii
Biggroups. Island Kauai Molokai and energy Maui industry Looking further ahead,
the National Petroleum Council predicts that—due
Hawaii’s Electric Rates by island (cents/kWh)
to population increases and improving living
Fig. 1b
Residential systemsCommercial that eliminate much or all of
a functional life of 25 years, and
Average Business Rate 36
34
5
systems outright, we can install solar
20 has
38
32
U.S.
electricity bill with equipment that
36
40
For businesses that prefer to purchase
25 your
Average Business Average Business Rate Rate
40 40 percent from 1991 to 2006.
Residential 20
standards—global demand for oil will substantially
Average Business Rate
40
exceed supply for the next 25 years.i
38 36
In addition to market-driven price growth, Hawaii’s
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We need more We laws needto more enforce lawsenergy to enforce efficiency energy efficiency
32
electricity costs are also vulnerable to regulatory
The environment The environment in the U.S. is in getting the U.S. worse is getting worse
30
changes such as the imposition of carbon taxes
Would consider Would buying consider and alternative buying andfuel alternative vehicle fuel vehicle
28 Maui
Big Island
intended to shift the country’s energy supply
Global warming Global is awarming “seriousisproblem” a “serious problem”
Kauai
Molokai
It is a “goodItidea” is a “good to build idea” more to solar build power more solar facilities power facilities
Source: Fig. 1a: U.S. Dept. of Energy, Energy Information away from fossil fuels. Such taxes are gaining DependenceDependence on foreign oil onisforeign a “serious oil isproblem” a “serious problem” Administration, data for 2006. Fig. 1b: HECO, KIVC, momentum internationally, and one U.S. city, schedule J, general service demand January 2008 percent of percent respondents of respondents
Boulder, Colorado, imposed such a tax in 2006.
these extremes, an array of debt, lease, and lease purchase options are also available.
Another recent report by Goldman Sachs argues that regulatory We need more laws to enforce energy efficiency risk associated The environment in the U.S.investment is getting worse
All of these solutions share several important benefits. First, they
with greenhouse gas emissions is a “significant
risk.”ii
Would consider buying and alternative fuel vehicle
lower energy costs now and provide a hedge against future price
Global warming is a “serious problem”Fig. 2: Petroleum Dominates Electricity Production
increases from grid power. Second, they provide the stability of
petroleum It is a “good idea” to build more solar petroleum power facilities
self-generated electricity without giving up access to the grid
3%
natural natural gas gas 1% 1%
3%
Dependence on foreign oil is a “serious problem” as a backup power source. Finally, they yield timely marketing
opportunities for businesses like yours to take advantage of the pro-environment shift in consumer consciousness.
U.S.
other other 7% coal coal7% 14% 14%
percent of respondents
other other 29% 29%
HAWAII
We need more laws to enforce energy efficiency
At Suntech Hawaii, we stand behind the quality of our work. The environment in the U.S. is getting worse
We provide reliable solar technology, economically feasible Would consider buying and alternative fuel vehicle systems and financing, and renewable, non-polluting electricity Global warming is a “serious problem” that helps your business—and our state—become more energy
natural natural gas gas 29% 29%
coal coal 49% 49%
petroleum petroleum 78% 78%
It is a “good idea” buildhelp more solar facilities independent. Letto us youpower initiate change. Dependence on foreign oil is a “serious problem”
Source: U.S. Dept. of Energy EIA. percent of respondents
petroleum
natural