Building Industry Magazine - April 2013 - (Page 52)

NewsBeat Greenpath Installs Ground-Mount PV System Top: Mahalo Aina Sanctuary owners Steven Kalish and Fabi Vlchek show off their ground-mount PV system installed by Greenpath Technologies. Center: The ground-mount PV system at Mahalo Aina Sanctuary powers both the living quarters and the farming facility. Bottom: The rooftops of the open-air sheds at Mahalo Aina Sanctuary are covered with solar panels. “The use of alternative solar energy assists our agriculture efforts,” Kalish says. Steven Kalish and Fabi Vlchek, longtime advocates of sustainable living practices and alternative medicinal therapies for transformative healing powers, say installing solar power at their Mahalo Aina Sanctuary, LLC, in Papaaloa, Hilo, “made pure sense.” They turned to Greenpath Technologies, Inc. (GPT) to install a ground-mount PV system at their property. Providing power to the main residence, according to GPT, are “46 Conergy PowerPlus 225 modules connected to a 2 x SMA SB5000US inverters for a system size of 10.350 kW DC.” Providing power to the separate agricultural facility, GPT says, is an “off-grid system that consists of 18 Conergy PowerPlus 225W modules connected to an Outback Radian inverter and a 48V 240 AH battery bank for a system size of 4.050 kW DC.” The property’s owners say the system is good for both the environment and their lifestyle. “We believe the responsibility starts with each and every one of us, one step at a time, if we expect to have a healthy planet for future generations,” Kalish says. “The use of alternative solar energy assists our agriculture efforts as we now provide over 90 percent of the food we consume, run a small animal farm, and grow and prepare medicinal topical, hydrotherapeutical and internal herbs. “Using alternative solar power energy made pure sense in what we do and how we live.” According to Briand Achong, president of GPT, both systems produce enough electrical to run the sanctuary’s agricultural facility, while the battery pack stores energy. “This was a great example of generating power in a rural area where roof space is limited and idle ground is readily available,” Achong says. “A ground-mount system is ideal in situations like this where there is limited, or no, utility connection, or in instances where there is feeder saturation. It also helps to maximize the land’s potential while meeting the facility’s energy requirements.” Ness Turf Equipment Opens in Kapolei Ness Turf Equipment, a new subsidiary of equipment dealer Hawthorne Cat, has opened its first retail location in Hawaii. Ness Turf Equipment offers commercial and residential agriculture and landscaping products at its facility at 91-220 Kalaeloa Blvd. in Campbell Industrial Park in Kapolei, as well as at Hawthorne Cat locations throughout Hawaii, Guam and Saipan. Product brands include Toro, eXmark, Club Car, Morbark, Land Pride and Garia, covering care for golf courses, sports fields, green spaces and agricultural fields. “Ness Turf Equipment allows us to expand Hawthorne Cat’s existing turf operations, bringing a greater selection of high-quality landscaping products to Hawaii,” said Leonard Smith, general manager of Ness Turf Equipment. “The state’s year-round growing climate, green spaces and focus on agriculture make it an ideal place to increase our focus on this segment of our operations.” The Ness Turf Equipment brand dates back to the founding of Inter Island Equipment in Hawaii in 1965. Ness Turf Equipment sales and technician team members hold top industry certifications and have received nationwide honors such as the prestigious Toro Green Blazer award for sales excellence. 52 | BUILDING INDUSTRY | APRIL 2013

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Building Industry Magazine - April 2013

FINANCE, BONDING AND INSURANCE
ECONOMIC ENGINES
BUILD WITH ‘GREEN’ WOOD
SUBCONTRACTORS ASSOCIATION OF HAWAII
Greenpath installs ground-mount PV system
Ness Turf opens in Kapolei
Bonterra Solar powers storage company
Coastal Construction completes St. Francis center
And the “Sweepsteaks” winner is …
Editor’s Corner
Datebook
Concept To Completion: Holomua
Contracts Awarded
Low Bids
Spotlight On Success: The Towers at Kuhio Park
Best Practices
New Products

Building Industry Magazine - April 2013