Holistic analysis of proposed 5 megawatt solar farm in Hawaii.

Abstract

The aim of this investigation is to measure holistically all of the components of the design, planning, installation and implementation of a photovoltaic system on the island of Hawaii in the state of Hawaii. The system size will be defined as 5 megawatts in order to make the project feasible considering the amount of available land that is on the island. The reason for this thesis in the increase in energy prices from the public utility, HELCO, and the emissions associated with their energy production. This thesis first delves into an investigation of the existing global push for renewable energies and a focus on the current case in Hawaii, mainly on the island of Hawaii, also known as the big island. By using existing knowledge and studies by other professionals and academics a decision will be made to install a solar farm on the big island of Hawaii. As stated in the beginning of this abstract the size of the farm will be that of 5 megawatts and will be tied into the existing local electricity grid at with a net-metering agreement to sell back the energy produced. By designing and installing a 5 megawatts system the author will then attempt to associate a carbon emission to the entire project; this is including transportation, production of materials and any other associated aspect deemed significant for the purpose of the study and research. Financial, environmental and social aspects of the projects will be evaluated in qualitative and quantitative terms to address the case of renewable energy having more integrated costs besides the financial side in order to establish a better understanding of investment in renewables, specifically photovoltaic energy.