Turn your rooftop into a power plant

This week the Public Utilities Commission (PUC) issued a breakthrough order that opens the grid to small-scale energy projects. Known as a "feed-in tariff," the program provides a price guarantee for clean electricity. Blue Planet has worked for two years before the PUC on this potentially transformative clean energy policy.

The feed-in tariff essentially offers energy producers a no-haggle contract for clean energy—and this applies on a small scale, so homeowners can turn their rooftops into power plants. Projects that generate up to 500 kilowatts (kW) can apply to sell their power at a fixed rate for a term of 20 years. Residential rooftop photovoltaic systems that produce up to 20 kW, for example, earn 21.8 cents per kilowatt hour. For more information, check out our FIT "Frequently Asked Questions" page.

And the 2010 Honua Award goes to...

Blue Planet founder Henk Rogers presented the 2010 Honua Award to Colonel Robert Rice, Commander of the Marine Corps Base Hawai‘i and champion of sustainable energy, at the downtown Honolulu YWCA on Monday night. Each year, the honor goes to an individual or organization who has made significant contributions toward moving Hawai‘i down the path to a clean energy future.

Since becoming Commanding Officer of Marine Corps Base Hawai‘i in 2008, Col. Rice has implemented bold energy initiatives that will help make the 3,000-acre Windw ard O‘ahu facility energy self-sufficient by 2015. The base has integrated photovoltaic roofing systems, sensor-controlled skylights in hangars that adapt to available sunlight, and a central air conditioning system that manages energy use in 56 buildings on base. Runway lights and street lights have been replaced with high-efficiency LEDs. Lodging units are equipped with solar hot water systems, and all new construction projects will be LEED-certified. The base is also receiving power from the first wave energy buoy in the nation. Congratulations and mahalo to Colonel Rice.

Talk of the town on 10.10.10

Thanks to all our T.E.N. (Teach Energy Now) Project volunteers and partners for making a big splash on 10-10-10. Each event, from solar installations to bike tune-ups and CFL exchanges, successfully helped promote energy efficiency and reduce our carbon footprint. With events held on four islands, Hawai'i represented as part of the 350.org collaboration with projects in 188 countries.

Coverage of Blue Planet's T.E.N. initiative appeared on KHON and in the Star-Advertiser, as well as numerous other media outlets.

Must-see TV: Hawai'i Home Energy Makeover 2.0

If you missed it on Tuesday night, Hawai‘i Home Energy Makeover 2.0 will air again on Thursday, Oct. 21 at 6:30 pm on KHNL. Hosts Billy V and Donalyn Dela Cruz visit Hawai‘i homes and businesses to show how simple home upgrades and lifestyle changes can reduce energy consumption and save you money. Tune in!