Oahu's residential solar permits drop 70% Y/Y in Aug 2014

Sep 9, 2014 -The total number of residential solar project permits on the Hawaiian island of Oahu issued last month fell by almost 70% in annual terms, the Pacific Business News said Monday.

The number of issued permits was the lowest in three years, the newspaper said, presenting data collected by Marco Mangelsdorf, president of Hilo-based ProVision Solar. According to the data, some 410 photovoltaic (PV) permits were issued in the city and county of Honolulu in August. Mangelsdorf noted that reality might be darker than figures show as some of the contractors are cancelling permits and in some cases powering up solar plants before getting utility clearance.

Development of the PV market on Oahu slowed down after local utility Hawaiian Electric Co Inc (OTCMKTS:HAWEL) introduced new safety and reliability rules. Last week, the utility asked clients who have hooked their rooftop PV systems to its grid but have not interconnection approval to disconnect the facilities.

Meanwhile, a new report by the Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA) and GTM Research showed on Friday that the US added 1,133 MW of solar capacity in the second quarter of 2014, up 21% year-on-year, and is seen to end up with 6,500 MW of installations for the full year.

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