We interviewed Christine at Halaeakla Solar, the schools solar company. All of the information given in the interview is on the details page under "Solar Panels". We also interviewed Gene Zarro for the information and opinion on going net-zero. Gene Zarro is one of the original founders of Kihei Charter.
Gene Zarro's Interview:
1.) Do the school's solar panels cover the total electricity the school uses? If not, do you know how much electricity we still need?
The schools solar panels cover the schools electric demand when the sun is out. When the sun is not out, say due to cloud cover or at night when the sun has set the school draws its power from Hawaiian Electric. The schools electric power is tied to the power grid of the island of Maui. This is done to make sure that electric power is readily available even when there could be issues with the school's Photo Voltaic system.
On average the school's PV system provides about two thirds of the power demand of the school and Hawaiiian Electric provides about one third.
There are fluctuations to this formula usually related to the under performance of the PV system. That could be attributed to cloud cover or maintenance issues.
2.) What ways do you think students and staff can help the campus go net zero?
Probably the biggest contribution that can be made to achieve net zero is for the South Maui Learning Ohana to put in a battery back up system. What this would do is take the extra power produced during the day time, and store it in a battery back up system that could be used to draw power from when the PV system is not producing enough energy. This could be significant since Kihei is a pretty sunny place most of the time.
This would limit how much power we would need to draw from Hawaiian Electric.
SMLO is in the process of installing a battery back up system for the school and hope to have it in place within a year.
The students and staff can help meet the goal of net zero by making sure that at the end of the school day all power is off. Since the biggest draw on power is what is on at night shutting down as much electrical usage as possible would go a long way in meeting net zero power usage for the school.
Net Zero for KCS is a great goal that is not only admirable for helping the environment but it will save the school money.
3) Do you think we could help the school with this?
Yes. Everything we do that conserves energy is a step in the right direction.
Like I said turning off power at the end of the school day is probably the biggest contribution that can be made by students and staff.
Practicing this habit of electrical conservation even at home will create a culture of energy consciousness which will make it second nature to be electrical efficient.
1.) Do the school's solar panels cover the total electricity the school uses? If not, do you know how much electricity we still need?
The schools solar panels cover the schools electric demand when the sun is out. When the sun is not out, say due to cloud cover or at night when the sun has set the school draws its power from Hawaiian Electric. The schools electric power is tied to the power grid of the island of Maui. This is done to make sure that electric power is readily available even when there could be issues with the school's Photo Voltaic system.
On average the school's PV system provides about two thirds of the power demand of the school and Hawaiiian Electric provides about one third.
There are fluctuations to this formula usually related to the under performance of the PV system. That could be attributed to cloud cover or maintenance issues.
2.) What ways do you think students and staff can help the campus go net zero?
Probably the biggest contribution that can be made to achieve net zero is for the South Maui Learning Ohana to put in a battery back up system. What this would do is take the extra power produced during the day time, and store it in a battery back up system that could be used to draw power from when the PV system is not producing enough energy. This could be significant since Kihei is a pretty sunny place most of the time.
This would limit how much power we would need to draw from Hawaiian Electric.
SMLO is in the process of installing a battery back up system for the school and hope to have it in place within a year.
The students and staff can help meet the goal of net zero by making sure that at the end of the school day all power is off. Since the biggest draw on power is what is on at night shutting down as much electrical usage as possible would go a long way in meeting net zero power usage for the school.
Net Zero for KCS is a great goal that is not only admirable for helping the environment but it will save the school money.
3) Do you think we could help the school with this?
Yes. Everything we do that conserves energy is a step in the right direction.
Like I said turning off power at the end of the school day is probably the biggest contribution that can be made by students and staff.
Practicing this habit of electrical conservation even at home will create a culture of energy consciousness which will make it second nature to be electrical efficient.