Energy Storage, Commercial, Solar  -  May 6, 2020

Dependable Hawaiian Express installs solar system with storage

Dependable Hawaiian Express announced May 6 that they will begin receiving clean energy for their new warehouse and distribution center in Honolulu from an on-site 133 kW solar system combined with a 222 kWh energy storage microgrid.

The Hawaii-based ocean and air freight company completed the project with REC Solar, an unregulated affiliate of Duke Energy. The rooftop solar system includes 360 solar panels across their 76,000-square-foot facility and is estimated to eliminate 152 metric tons of CO2 emissions annually.

“When your company’s first name is “dependable,” you better have a power system that is too,” DHX President Brad Dechter said in a statement. “Still, my commitment to going green isn’t just about reliable energy and saving money. I have a granddaughter who is 7, and it’s as much about saving the planet for her future. The key for me was finding the right expert. Avoiding costs from damaged computers, servers and other equipment could in itself pay for the system. And using the energy we produce on-site is a great way to shift load, reduce my peak usage and lower year-round demand charges. That cuts costs year-round.”

The addition of the 222 kWh microgrid protects DHX’s sensitive equipment and provides up to four hours of backup during power outages.

DHX is now planning a second phase of the project, which will include the installation of more solar panels on the alternate side of the roof. The additional energy generated from this second phase of solar panels is intended to power electric vehicle charging capacity and the freight company continues its planned transition to electric vehicles.