Jan. 24, 2023
Solarize808 Seeks Bids From Solar Contractors to Help Make Renewable Energy More Affordable to the Community Via Unique Group-Buying Program
HONOLULU — A newly formed initiative is currently seeking bids from solar contractors for a community campaign that seeks to make solar energy more affordable for homeowners, businesses and nonprofits on the island of O‘ahu.
Solarize808 issued a Request for Proposals (RFP) from area solar-energy design and installation companies for the group-purchasing program it’s launching later this Spring. The deadline for bidders to respond is Feb. 23. The RFP document is available here.
Solarize 808 is a community-based group-purchasing program for solar energy, battery storage and other clean-energy technologies. Once launched, the campaign will help homeowners, businesses and nonprofits become more resilient, reduce energy expenses, and save on the cost of renewable-energy systems by obtaining volume discounts on materials and installation services. Solarize campaigns involve the power of community group purchasing. The more individual property owners who enroll and contract for an energy system, the greater the savings for all.
The Solarize808 campaign is planned to launch in mid-March with public awareness events and enrollment continuing for the following four months. Solarize808 is seeking competitive bids from the local solar installation community to ensure best-in-class materials are installed by qualified solar professionals for the lowest available price.
Solarize808 is an initiative consisting of Hui o Hau‘ula, Council for Native Hawaiian Advancement (CNHA), and with support from other stakeholders. Facilitation for the campaign is provided by Solar Crowdsource.
As stated in the RFP: “We believe in the core value of ‘āina aloha: a deep and abiding love for Hawaii’s communities and natural environments. We are of and from this ‘aina that ultimately sustains us. We employ strategies for economic development that place our kuleana to steward precious, limited resources in a manner that ensures our long-term horizon as a viable island people and place.”
Solar energy is clean, makes homes and businesses more climate-resilient and can stimulate local economic growth. Going solar can also reduce energy and economic burdens for low- and moderate-income residents.
Beyond more affordable electricity bills and increased renewable energy adoption, the campaign’s goals include widespread community engagement, education (energy, efficiency, rebates, financing) and workforce development, potentially providing deeper cost reductions for low- and moderate-income residents.
Informational Meeting for Interested Companies: Campaign organizers will hold a virtual pre-bid meeting via Zoom on Feb. 6th at 10:30 a.m. HST. Prospective bidders are encouraged to attend this meeting for an overview of the campaign and to engage in a Q&A session. To register and receive a link for this meeting, please sign up here.
Once an installer is selected, Solarize 808 will offer a series of clean-energy education and outreach events with a goal of increasing participation through a better understanding of rooftop solar components, suitability assessment considerations, and contract provisions. All solar and battery installations are expected to be completed by Dec. 31, 2024.
Solarize 808 is already accepting advance registrations for the upcoming program. Interested residents may go to solarize808.com to learn more about the program and sign up in advance to be early in line for a free evaluation of your property for its solar energy potential.
About Solarize 808: Solarize808 is an initiative consisting of Hui o Hau‘ula, Council for Native Hawaiian Advancement (CNHA), and Solar CrowdSource (SCS) with support from other stakeholders. Facilitation is provided by Solar Crowdsource. Community engagement, education (energy, efficiency, rebates, financing), lowering the cost of solar-energy and battery-storage installations through the power of bulk purchasing, reducing contractor acquisition costs, and transferring those savings to residential and commercial residents is the goal of the campaign, which will launch in March 2023.
Contact:
Ken Haldin
(404) 405-2924
