MECO Nation’s Best in Cumulative Solar installations

Entering the Feed In Tariff program in December 2011, the AAAAA Rent-A-Space photovoltaic system in Lahaina has a capacity of 250 kilowatts contributing to Maui’s record solar installation pace. Courtesy photo MECO.

By Wendy Osher

Maui Electric Company is now recognized as the nation’s best in Cumulative Solar installations.

The ranking was issued by the Solar Electric Power Association in an annual report released recently.

Since inception of its solar program in 2001, MECO has added 29.3 solar systems for every 1,000 customers.

Hawaiian Electric and Hawaii Electric Light Company were ranked second and fourth respectively in the same survey.

“We are strongly committed to helping our customers add as much solar as possible without compromising the reliability of electrical service all of our customers deserve,” said MECO President Sharon Suzuki. “While we are honored by this award, we recognize that we have a long way to go and will continue to find ways to safely accept more clean as-available sources of energy,” she said.

With 209.3 watts installed per customer, MECO was also ranked 2nd in the nation in the same report, under the category of Cumulative Solar Watts-per-Customer.

The findings of SEPA’s Utility Solar Rankings survey identify the most active utilities in the country.  The survey is based on the amount of new solar power added to systems, and on the amount of new solar power relative to the number of customers served.