popular articles

Kūpono Solar: Launch of Hawaii’s largest solar and battery power plant

The Kūpono Solar plant, 42 MW solar and 42 MW battery, now powers 10,000 Hawaiian homes, supporting the state's renewable energy goals.
Transition énergétique durable Hawaï

Please share:

The Kūpono Solar solar and battery power plant, located at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam military base, is now operational, providing energy to around 10,000 homes on the island of Oʻahu. The project is part of Hawaiian Electric ‘s efforts to stabilize energy costs and reduce the use of fossil fuels, while contributing to the state’s goal of achieving 100% renewable energy by 2045.

A major collaborative project

The Kūpono Solar site, developed on 131 acres of Navy land, integrates a 42 MW photovoltaic installation and a 42 MW storage battery with a four-hour capacity of 168 MWh. This unique combination of solar and storage improves the resilience of Oʻahu’s power grid, offering stable and reliable energy. The project was developed by Ameresco, Inc. a cleantech integrator specializing in energy efficiency and renewable energy. The inauguration of Kūpono Solar was attended by several key figures, including Meredith Berger, Assistant Secretary of the Navy and Director of Sustainability, and Shelee Kimura, President and CEO of Hawaiian Electric. All stressed the importance of this project for Hawaii’s energy future and its role in reducing CO2 emissions by 50,000 tons a year.

Partnerships for a sustainable future

Honolulu Mayor Rick Blangiardi hailed the project as a significant step forward in the city’s commitment to energy efficiency and renewable energy. Likewise, Governor Josh Green, M.D., expressed his satisfaction at seeing this project come to life after its launch in 2022. All recognized the importance of public-private-community partnerships in achieving the state’s ambitious energy goals. Shelee Kimura emphasized that strong partnerships are key to moving towards energy independence and building a more resilient Hawaii. Nicole Bulgarino, Ameresco’s Executive Vice President, expressed her pride at the project’s completion and operationalization, which testify to our collective ability to develop sustainable and reliable energy infrastructures. The Kūpono Solar project is a striking example of how collaboration can lead to innovative and sustainable solutions. By sharing resources and aligning objectives, the project partners have created a facility that not only provides clean energy, but also strengthens the resilience of the local power grid. This project also demonstrates the potential of solar energy coupled with battery storage to meet energy needs while minimizing environmental impact. It provides a model for other regions seeking to achieve similar renewable energy targets.
The future of projects like Kūpono Solar relies on continued investment, supportive policies and close cooperation between all stakeholders. As the world increasingly turns to sustainable energy solutions, initiatives like this one play a crucial role in the transition to a green economy.

Register free of charge for uninterrupted access.

Publicite

Recently published in

AES will supply 650 MW of solar capacity to Meta through two long-term power purchase agreements in the United States, strengthening its position in the Southwest Power Pool market.
Boralex signed renewable energy certificate contracts with New York’s energy authority for two solar projects totalling 450 MW in capacity.
Boralex signed renewable energy certificate contracts with New York’s energy authority for two solar projects totalling 450 MW in capacity.
The Ivorian government has approved a 25-year concession for an 85,934 MWh solar power plant in Katiola under a public-private partnership with Swiss energy firm JC Mont-Fort.
The Ivorian government has approved a 25-year concession for an 85,934 MWh solar power plant in Katiola under a public-private partnership with Swiss energy firm JC Mont-Fort.
German group Greencells strengthens its UK presence through an EPC and O&M agreement with Enray Power for a solar plant incorporating an energy storage system in North Yorkshire.
German group Greencells strengthens its UK presence through an EPC and O&M agreement with Enray Power for a solar plant incorporating an energy storage system in North Yorkshire.
Urban Grid sets up honey production at its Crystal Hill solar site, combining beekeeping and farming to trial new land management models.
Ecopetrol acquires Statkraft’s Colombian subsidiary, including eight projects under development and the 130 MW Portón del Sol solar plant.
Ecopetrol acquires Statkraft’s Colombian subsidiary, including eight projects under development and the 130 MW Portón del Sol solar plant.
French group Qair has begun construction on two hybrid solar plants in N’Djamena totalling 30 MWp with battery storage, under a 20-year BOOT contract with the Chadian government.
French group Qair has begun construction on two hybrid solar plants in N’Djamena totalling 30 MWp with battery storage, under a 20-year BOOT contract with the Chadian government.
The third-party ownership model dominates non-residential solar installations in the US, according to Wood Mackenzie, with 2.1 GWdc installed in 2024, a record driven by the rise of transferable tax credits.
The third-party ownership model dominates non-residential solar installations in the US, according to Wood Mackenzie, with 2.1 GWdc installed in 2024, a record driven by the rise of transferable tax credits.
Enfinity Global secured a €100mn ($108.4mn) bond facility from Eiffel Investment Group to accelerate its energy storage and solar projects across Europe, mainly in Italy and the United Kingdom.
The Kuwait Authority for Public-Private Partnerships has launched a pre-qualification process to build two photovoltaic plants in the Al Jahra region.
The Kuwait Authority for Public-Private Partnerships has launched a pre-qualification process to build two photovoltaic plants in the Al Jahra region.
Iberdrola Italia has inaugurated a new photovoltaic plant in Tarquinia with a capacity of 33 MW, aiming to produce around 50 GWh of solar electricity per year to support industrial electrification.
Iberdrola Italia has inaugurated a new photovoltaic plant in Tarquinia with a capacity of 33 MW, aiming to produce around 50 GWh of solar electricity per year to support industrial electrification.
SOLV Energy announces contracts totalling more than 6 GW of solar and storage projects in the United States, with construction launches expected as early as 2025. The projects will span several states including Arizona and California.
SOLV Energy announces contracts totalling more than 6 GW of solar and storage projects in the United States, with construction launches expected as early as 2025. The projects will span several states including Arizona and California.
China added 59.7 GW of photovoltaic capacity in Q1 2025, surpassing coal power generation capacity for the first time, according to the National Energy Administration (NEA).
Engie cancelled its hybrid solar farm project in Yass after local opposition. The company is now considering installing only a battery system on the site, responding to community concerns.
Engie cancelled its hybrid solar farm project in Yass after local opposition. The company is now considering installing only a battery system on the site, responding to community concerns.
The Chisamba solar power plant, a major private project in Zambia with a $71.5 million investment, has reached 91% completion, aiming to bridge a structural energy deficit through a strategic partnership with a leading mining group.
The Chisamba solar power plant, a major private project in Zambia with a $71.5 million investment, has reached 91% completion, aiming to bridge a structural energy deficit through a strategic partnership with a leading mining group.
Close Brothers funds the construction of an 8.99MWp solar plant in Rhigos, marking a new phase in a £200mn partnership with Enviromena.
Close Brothers funds the construction of an 8.99MWp solar plant in Rhigos, marking a new phase in a £200mn partnership with Enviromena.
RWE is developing over 86 MWp of solar capacity on recultivated land in the Rhenish region, with commissioning scheduled by the end of 2025.
ReNew Energy Global commits Rs22,000 crore ($2.57bn) to develop a 2.8 GW solar-wind hybrid power plant in Andhra Pradesh.
ReNew Energy Global commits Rs22,000 crore ($2.57bn) to develop a 2.8 GW solar-wind hybrid power plant in Andhra Pradesh.
CVE North America begins construction of a solar and energy storage system on a former landfill site in Riverhead, marking a new strategic investment in the United States.
CVE North America begins construction of a solar and energy storage system on a former landfill site in Riverhead, marking a new strategic investment in the United States.
The tech giant strengthens its partnership with energyRe through a second agreement covering more than 600 MW of solar projects, bringing the total commitment to over 1 GWac of renewable capacity.
The tech giant strengthens its partnership with energyRe through a second agreement covering more than 600 MW of solar projects, bringing the total commitment to over 1 GWac of renewable capacity.
Solar solutions manufacturer TOYO Co., Ltd released revised financial results for 2024, reporting a significant increase in net profit despite a sharp rise in operating expenses.
Sungrow has secured an 835 MW order for photovoltaic inverters from Juniper Green Energy for solar projects in India, reinforcing its position in the Asian renewable energy market.
Sungrow has secured an 835 MW order for photovoltaic inverters from Juniper Green Energy for solar projects in India, reinforcing its position in the Asian renewable energy market.
Undocumented embedded devices have been found in Chinese inverters and batteries connected to power grids, raising growing concerns among US energy security officials.
Undocumented embedded devices have been found in Chinese inverters and batteries connected to power grids, raising growing concerns among US energy security officials.
Chinese manufacturer AIKO recorded over 1 GW in orders for its INFINITE solar module range during Intersolar Europe 2025, strengthening its commercial foothold in the European market.
Chinese manufacturer AIKO recorded over 1 GW in orders for its INFINITE solar module range during Intersolar Europe 2025, strengthening its commercial foothold in the European market.

Advertising