Hawaiian Electric reports record increase in solar capacity

Solar capacity in Hawaii jumped 21 percent in 2019 – the largest annual increase ever in the state, according to Hawaiian Electric. Solar capacity increased from 745 cumulative installed megawatts in 2018 to 902 megawatts at the end of 2019. Currently, there are about 3.5 million solar panels producing electricity on Hawaiian Electric’s five grids. Last year, three solar arrays built by Clearway Energy Group totaling 110 megawatts came online, along with Hawaiian Electric’s West Loch solar array in Oahu, which is producing 20 megawatts. Overall, nearly 3,500 new systems across Oahu, Hawaii Island, and Maui County were completed last year. The company has a goal of having 30 percent renewable energy by the end of 2020.