SolarWorld has supplied modules for a combined 2.4 MW PV project at the historic U.S. Navy base at Pearl Harbor, now known as Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, on the Hawaiian island of Oahu.
PV systems for the $15 million project, funded under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, were engineered, procured and installed by DRI Energy under a contract with Hawaii-based Niking Corp.
The arrays were installed on five buildings:
– A 1927-built BEQ (Bachelor Enlisted Quarters), a three-floor structure featuring two wings that enclose a recreational field on three sides, hosts a 250 kW array.
– A 1940-era three-floor headquarters building for two major commands at Pearl Harbor hosts a 109 kW array.
– A massive Navy Exchange (NEX) shopping center for military and family members that is similar to a general-merchandise big-box retail store hosts a 852 kW array.
– An adjacent Navy Commissary building, much like a giant food supermarket, hosts a 813 kW array.
– A large distribution facility and furniture retail outlet associated with the NEX hosts a 378 kW array.
Combined, the arrays are expected to produce 3.4 GWh of electricity annually, enough to power about 440 homes. Installation of the solar panels is complete, but the final configuration of associated electrical systems and the systems' commissioning are not expected until this coming fall, according to SolarWorld.