Solar-Plus-Storage To Provide One-Quarter Of Hawaii Brewery’s Electricity

Kona Brewing Co. in Hawaii has signed a 20-year power purchase agreement with EnSync Inc. and its Hawaiian subsidiary, Holu Energy, for a solar-plus-storage system to be installed at Kona’s new brewery in Kailua Kona.

The installation will consist of a 336 kW, roof-mounted solar system and an EnSync DER SuperModule that contains a 122 kWh battery system to capture and store excess solar generation.

The project also includes the Matrix energy management system, which uses DER Flex Internet of Energy technology to interact with the main grid to find and deliver the lowest-cost, most reliable electricity from multiple sources. The resulting solar power is projected to meet one-quarter of the brewery’s electricity needs and will allow the company to produce a peak output of 6,875 cans of sun-powered beer per hour, says EnSync.

“This installation offers Kona Brewing a fully integrated resource to meet its dual goals of using clean energy and reducing energy costs, which in Hawaii are the highest in the nation,” states Ted Peck, president of Holu Energy. “Integrating energy storage with PV will help the brewery reduce expensive peak demand charges, add resiliency and provide grid services, which benefits both the local utility and Kona Brewing.”

Energy storage will also enable Kona Brewing to participate in Hawaiian Electric’s demand response programs, which are designed to incentivize energy efficiency and stabilize the grid.

“Since it formed over 20 years ago, Kona Brewing has been committed to making locally brewed beers in an environmentally responsible way,” adds Julia Person, sustainability manager of Kona Brewing. “By partnering with Holu, we are working with another Hawaiian business to reduce our imported fossil fuel use and create on-site solar energy that helps the state meet its renewable energy goals. This partnership demonstrates how we embrace innovation to maintain our commitment to the ‘Aloha spirit’ and the larger Hawaiian community.”

Construction of the brewery is under way, and installation of the solar-plus-storage system is expected to be complete in early 2019.