Makaha Valley Plantation is undergoing a big project that will result in the installation of solar panels, on-site batteries, public EV chargers, an upgrade to our electrical systems, and many more benefits to the community. This FAQ is meant to answer the many questions that have arisen, but if you have other questions please get in touch. Please contact our property manager Chester at chester@touchstoneproperties-hawaii.com, or you can reach out to the board with the emails listed at https://makahavalleyplantation.org/association/
Why are we doing this?
There are a few key reasons to do Solar a (also referred to as PhotoVoltaic) installation and electrical grid upgrade.
- We want to do our part to help Hawaii become a clean sustainable community.
- Switching to solar is a cheaper long-term solution to electricity generation than relying on HECO and should save owners/occupants money in the long run.
- This project allows us to replace our aging electrical grid which opens the door to exciting new opportunities such as installing electric vehicle chargers, mini-split air conditioners, and other appliances that are currently disallowed.
Who is doing the Solar installation?
Hawaii Unified is our partner and the project developer behind our Solar PV project. They are not an investor, and will be working with various contractors on the actual installation.
How do we know they are qualified to do this work?
Hawaii Unified has a great reputation and has serviced the following clients: Walmart, Longs CVS Health Care, Target, Costco Wholesale, Petco, Safeway, Starbucks, City and County of Honolulu, State of Hawaii, Department of Education, Department of Agriculture, The Department of the Navy, Army and Airforce. They have over 100 highly skilled tradesmen and are the 2nd largest Solar installer in the State of Hawaii. You can learn more about their attitude, values, and work history at https://hawaiiunified.com
I heard a bad rumor about the solar project or a company involved
We take all claims seriously but cannot act on unsubstantiated rumors. During the bidding process we evaluated each potential company carefully, and rejected those that did not meet our standards of professionalism and reputation.
Are we getting a good deal?
Yes! We received bids from 3 solar providers: Greenpath Technologies, Hawaii Unified and Haleakala Solar. We also vetted many other companies. Hawaii Unified won the bid as we were impressed with their offer, pedigree, and professionalism.
Will this increase the cost of my HOA fees or assessment?
An investor will be putting up all the funds for the project to be built and maintained during the term of the 25-year contract. We expect a decrease in electrical costs. HOA fees may go up for many other reasons but we do not anticipate the Solar PV system to have an effect on that. If anything it should reduce your electricity bill over the long term, and ultimately raise property values.
Why can’t the HOA do these improvements ourselves? Why do we need an investor?
To do all of these improvements ourselves it would cost the association, and ultimately owners, much more – approximately $17 million. As a non-profit we do not have that sort of money available, nor would we be able to utilize state tax credits in the way an external company is able to. An investor is better able to pay for the initial installation and upfront costs, and then recoup through electricity bills, rebates, and selling green power back to the grid. For us, and this project, an outside investor makes the most sense.
Will the Solar installation void our roof warranty?
No. During the solar installation we will be taking the opportunity to renovate the roofs with a 50 year warranty.
Will the Solar installation cause leaks and roof damage?
No. This is like any construction project – if it is handled by a qualified professional then there should be no issues. Hawaii Unified’s experience and track record means they are well aware of how to approach projects like this.
What happens if we have a major storm, and solar panels get damaged?
Both the investor and the association will have insurance coverage to cover each other in the event either party experiences damage to their property.
What will happen to my view?
For those on the first and second floor you probably will not even know they are there. There is a parapet, or wall, around the top of the roof it is about a foot or two high. Most of the panels will be sitting close to the roof and partially out of view for most of the third-floor units. We are also doing our best to make sure they do not impair your view and do not reflect sunlight into your unit. If this does occur we can make adjustments as needed.
How much will electricity cost me?
We will have a locked-in electricity rate of $0.28 per kWh for the next 25 years, as opposed to HECO’s current average rate of $0.32 per kWh. However, HECO is likely to increase their electricity rate over time so we expect our rate to become cheaper and cheaper, comparatively. We will not always produce enough energy to power ourselves, so at those times we will draw extra energy from the grid, and this will also occur at the market rate.
How will I pay for my electricity?
When the solar system is completed and “switches on” we will be performing metering estimates and directly invoicing each unit. We don’t expect average electricity prices to be much higher or lower than they currently are, but long term it should end up being cheaper for everyone.
I currently get a LIHEAP subsidy from HECO for my electricity bill – will I still be able to do this?
Yes! When the new system is up and running you’ll need to apply for a new subsidy – the state is committed to transitioning to clean energy and supporting low income households.
What happens if it’s cloudy or we don’t produce enough energy for everyone?
HECO will be the secondary source and the PV the primary source for everyone. This means we will have a blended bill based on how much electricity you use. We will be producing a LOT of energy, which we will store in on-site batteries, so we expect our reliance on HECO to be minimal for most of the year.
What’s the deal with batteries?
In order to better balance our power usage Hawaii Unified will be installing onsite battery storage. This allows us to capture energy during the day and use it at night, better balancing our load.
How about electrical vehicles?
Hawaii Unified will provide a public electric vehicle charging stations on the plantation, so you can plug in and charge your EV for a small fee. Owners can also opt to install an EV charger at their parking space, but the cost for this falls on the owner.
Will this affect what appliances I can use?
Yes, but in a good way! Upgrades to the electrical upgrade will allow owners installing mini-split air conditioners and opens the door to other high-demand appliances which are currently disallowed, due to the age and limitations of our electrical grid.
How will this effect air conditioners?
Right now we do not allow the installation of mini-split air conditioners because of concerns related to the age of our electrical circuits. Once we have finished the upgrade we will allow mini-split air conditioners to be installed underneath the stairwells of units, such that they are out of sight, earshot, and mind.
This all sounds good to me!
We agree! This project is very ambitious but should solve a multitude of problems that we face now, and in the future. This will improve the living situation for everyone living at MVP.
When is all of this happening?
We are currently in the planning and design phase, and are hoping to finish the entire installation by the end of 2023. There are a lot of moving pieces in this project but we will communicate each step of the process, so you’re always aware of what is happening and how things are going.
I have more questions…
Great! We would love to answer them – please contact our property manager Chester at chester@touchstoneproperties-hawaii.com, or you can reach out to the board with the emails listed at https://makahavalleyplantation.org/association/