GOALS The 2009-2013 goals of the West Hawaii Sustainable Energy Project are to 1) lower our energy costs by assisting with acquiring and upgrading solar PV electric/hot water/refrigeration/UV water purfication/pumping equipment that fosters energy independence and improves public safety, and 2) to strengthen our local community capacity to increase energy efficiency and conservation. We expect to serve 150 grantee applicants in West Hawaii and over 1,000 paticipants.
As of January 2012, all applicant spaces have been filled. If you would like to add yourself to our waiting list, please see SOLAR SURVEY in the left column of our newsletter.
GIS mapping project – check out our new ‘geographic information system’ mapping project that is showcasing WHSEP accomplishments using GIS mapping tools. A big mahalo to Caroline Carl and Karen Kemp of the University of Southern California for their assistance in developing this very useful data visualization tool to help tell the WHSEP story. We are very proud of the positive impacts this project is having and will be developing several tools to help tell the succes stories – and challenges – of the solar energy project.
OBJECTIVES The immediate project objectives are to provide technical assistance and grant funding for equipment to assist local residents in implementing practices that lower their energy costs and create more self reliant power systems. We are serving residential, small farm, non-profit, and small business locations.
METHODS Methods WHSEP will deploy include energy conservation practices, cost saving energy efficient equipment and practice installations, and a main feature are solar renewable technology installations including hot water, water purification, refrigeration and off-grid /grid-tied energy generation. The project’s technical assistance services, grant awards, and pre/post award energy analysis is focused on providing physical equipment and tools that result in measurable energy savings for rural residents.
SPONSORS The Energy Project is being managed by Heritage Ranch, Inc., a 501c3 non-profit and is based at the One Island Sustainable Living Center. The USDA Rural Development Service is the primary funding source for WHSEP with additional support from HUD Rural Housing and Economic Development.
This project is supported in part with funds from the United States Department of Agriculture, Rural Development, Rural Utilities Service.
NON-DISCRIMINATION STATEMENT
“The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) prohibits discrimination in all its programs and activities on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, religion, age, disability, political beliefs, sexual orientation, and marital or family status. (Not all prohibited bases apply to all programs.) Persons with disabilities who require alternative means for communication of program information (Braille, large print, audiotape, etc.) should contact USDA’s TARGET Center at (202) 720-2600 (voice and TDD).
To file a complaint of discrimination write USDA, Director, Office of Civil Rights, Room 326-W, Whitten Building, 14th and Independence Avenue, SW, Washington, DC 20250-9410 or call (202) 720-5964 (voice or TDD). USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer.”
