Building Management Hawaii June/July 2013 - (Page 13)

Solar & More Solar On The Highrise Honolulu’s tallest buildings offer a unique green opportunity. The Crown Thurston goes solar. A ndrew Yani, Bonterra Solar founder and principal says “The rooftops of many residential and commercial high-rises are perfect places to install large PV systems. The roofs are large, flat and strong.” Recently, Bonterra Solar completed the installation of a largescale photovoltaic (PV) solar system on the roof of Crown Thurston, an 11-story condominium near Punchbowl Crater. “Less than 10 percent of residential highrises in Honolulu have gone solar,” says Bonterra principal Blair Herbert. “It’s time for condo owners to get in on the solar boom in the Islands.” Herbert notes that over a week and a half, the Crown Thurston was installed with 160 American-made, www.buildingmanagementhawaii.com state-of-the-art SolarWorld panels. The system generates up to 40 kilowatts of electricity at any given time. To ensure a quality job, Bonterra teamed up with Pacific Industrial Coatings to first apply a new protective membrane coating to the roof. Financing covered both the membrane and the PV installation. “The apartment owners had zero outof-pocket expenses on this project,” Herbert explains. “There are all kinds of financing options. And each high-rise project helps Hawaii get a little closer to meeting its clean energy goals.” Crown Thurston building manager Rey Patio said the project was a win/ win for everyone. “When it comes to major improvements, my concerns are cost, quality, time and how it will affect my residents,” Patio says. “This project exceeded all our expectations.” Patio said the Crown Thurston project went a step further when it comes to going green. “The solar panels came from the Mainland protected by wooden pallets,” he explains. “We recycled those wooden pallets, turning them into planters for our residents to grow their own produce and spices on the condo grounds.” Bonterra Solar Hawaii is a leading installer of cost-effective residential and commercial solar systems. In 2010, Bonterra was chosen to be the solar installation company for the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands’ Kaupuni Village, the first net-zero energy community in the nation. BMH June - July 2013 13 http://www.buildingmanagementhawaii.com

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Building Management Hawaii June/July 2013

Special Section: BIA Renaissance Awards
Solar & More - Made In The Shade
Solar Options For Condos
Beyond PV…The Power Of The Negawatts
Solar On The Highrise
On The Farm With PV
The Reality Of Exploring Solar
Steep-Slope Solar
Concrete & Asphalt - Fresh Surfaces for Work & Play
Pavement Maintenance 101
Asphalt Alternatives
Rocky Road
Pavement Preservation
Painting Top 5 Painting Tips
Painting & Exterior Finishes
Lead & Rules
On Site: Renting Delinquent Units

Building Management Hawaii June/July 2013