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Solar Thermal Application in Hawaii

Kona, Hawaii
Gross Power Output: 100kWe
Thermal Heat Input: 325 - 650kWt
Hot Water Input: 160 - 245°F
Hot Water Flow: 115 GPM
Cold Water Input: 48°F
Cold Water Flow: 115 GPM  

On Hawaii’s Big Island, two ElectraTherm Green Machines generate 100 gross kWh of power at the “Holaniku at Keahole Point” Solar Farm. Keahole Solar Power, LLC (KSP) commissioned the ElectraTherm Green Machines in December 2009.

The Holaniku Solar Farm is the first in the world to utilize Sopogy’s Micro-scale Concentrating Solar Power Concentrators or “MicroCSP” for power generation. This site marked the first commercial solar thermal application of ElectraTherm’s heat to power generating system. 

KSP learned of ElectraTherm’s technology while working to create an efficient, modular and quick to deploy solar thermal template for mass adoption around the world.  The process at Holaniku uses four acres of solar collectors to heat two 4,000 gallon tanks. The ElectraTherm machines operate on the hot water supplied via the concentrated solar panels, with additional tank capacity allowing for continued power generation after the sun has set.

“The delivery and performance of the Green Machines have allowed us to fully utilize our solar field and we’ve extended renewable solar generation via the storage capacity, and ORC technology,” said Darren T. Kimura, Founder of Keahole Solar Power.  “With unparalleled natural energy resources including abundant sun, wind, geothermal, and ocean thermal energy - the Big Island is extending its leadership in renewable and sustainable energy.”

For a project reference from Sopogy, please contact the company at (866) 767-6491.