STAND. COM. REP. NO.  1043

Honolulu, Hawaii

                , 2011

RE:   S.B. No. 181

      S.D. 1

Honorable Calvin K.Y. Say

Speaker, House of Representatives

Twenty-Sixth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2011

State of Hawaii

Sir:

     Your Committees on Energy & Environmental Protection and Housing and Water, Land, & Ocean Resources, to which was referred S.B. No. 181, S.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO PHOTOVOLTAIC-READY NEW RESIDENTIAL HOMES,"

beg leave to report as follows:

     The purpose of this bill is to encourage and facilitate the use of solar renewable energy in Hawaii by requiring that new single-family residential construction incorporates design elements and equipment installation at the time of construction to facilitate the future adoption of photovoltaic systems.

     The Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism; Blue Planet Foundation; Sierra Club-Hawaii Chapter; Hawaii Solar Energy Association; and numerous concerned individuals testified in support of this bill.  The Chamber of Commerce of Hawaii and a concerned individual opposed this measure.

     Hawaii is one of the most fossil fuel dependent states in the nation and the continued consumption of conventional petroleum fuel for our energy needs and the price volatility of fossil fuels can negatively impact the environment and economic health of the people of Hawaii.  At the same time, Hawaii has among the most abundant renewable energy resources in the world, particularly in the form of solar energy.

     Increasing energy efficiency and use of renewable energy resources would increase Hawaii's energy self-sufficiency, achieving broad societal benefits, including increased energy security, resistance to increases in oil prices, environmental sustainability, economic development, and job creation.

     One method of achieving this energy self-sufficiency would be to encourage and facilitate the use of solar renewable energy systems in Hawaii, particularly among single-family homeowners.  However, the installation of photovoltaic systems on existing homes can be hindered by design features that were incorporated at the time of initial construction of the homes.  This measure will facilitate widespread adoption of photovoltaic systems in the future and optimize future gains from solar technology adoption which will result in reduced energy demand on the grid, reduced greenhouse gas emissions, and reduced dependency on imported fossil fuels by requiring that new single-family residential construction incorporates design elements that would simplify the installation of photovoltaic energy generating systems.

     As affirmed by the records of votes of the members of your Committees on Energy & Environmental Protection and Housing and Water, Land, & Ocean Resources that are attached to this report, your Committees are in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 181, S.D. 1, and recommend that it pass Second Reading and be referred to the Committee on Consumer Protection & Commerce.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committees on Energy & Environmental Protection and Housing and Water, Land, & Ocean Resources,

____________________________ RIDA T.R. CABANILLA, Chair	____________________________ DENNY COFFMAN, Acting Chair
	____________________________ JERRY L. CHANG, Chair