Bonterra Solar

Bonterra Solar Partners With Habitat For Humanity to Bring Solar Energy to Hawaii Family

spencer_toyama — Sat, 05 May 2012 02:21:00 +0000

Andrew Yani, principal and founder, Bonterra Solar, speaks on Bonterra Solar's commitment to provide a new solar hot water heating system to every Honolulu Habitat for Humanity Home to help families reduce their electricity costs while helping to move Hawaii toward a clean energy future.

HONOLULU – Bonterra Solar Hawaii today joined Honolulu Habitat for Humanity and other community organizations in welcoming the Naone-Bailey family to their new home in Makiki. The home, which was built by volunteers, is equipped with a new solar hot water heating system that was donated and installed at no cost by Bonterra Solar through its ongoing community partnership with Habitat for Humanity as part of the company’s Campaign for a Solar Hawaii. Since it was formed in 2009, Bonterra Solar has pledged a solar hot water system for every Habitat for Humanity home in an effort to help Hawaii families reduce their electricity costs, while also moving Hawaii toward a clean energy future. The Naone-Bailey family’s home is the sixth home to receive a solar hot water system under Bonterra’s partnership with Habitat for Humanity. “Bonterra continues to be a great partner to Honolulu Habitat,” said Genie Brown, Honolulu Habitat for Humanity executive director. “With their donation of a solar hot water system for our homes, we are able to provide safe, decent homes with quality energy-saving products. We appreciate their generosity and sponsorship to our mission!” Hawaiian Electric estimates that an electric water heater accounts for approximately 30 to 35 percent of a single-family residence’s electricity bill, or approximately $14 per person per month. The solar hot water system donated by Bonterra will help the Naone-Bailey family reduce its water heating bill by up to 90 percent. “The entire Bonterra Solar team is proud to partner with Habitat for Humanity and countless hardworking community volunteers to bring the benefits of solar energy to Hawaii families like the Naone-Bailey’s,” said Andrew Yani, a principal and founder of Bonterra Solar. “Bonterra is grateful for the opportunity to work with Honolulu Habitat for Humanity to help Island families cut their energy costs, while reducing Hawaii’s dependence on oil.” Bonterra Solar Hawaii is a leading installer of cost-effective residential and commercial solar systems that reduce electricity costs and maximize returns on clean energy investments with little, if any upfront expenses. 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. Bonterra also was selected by Gentry Homes as its exclusive installer of photovoltaic systems on new homes.

Seated and standing (on the left side of the porch) - members of the Naone-Bailey family Seated (right side of the porch)-- Michelle Kauhane, deputy director, Dept. of Hawaiian Home Lands and Gov. Neil Abercrombie Standing with lei - Genie Brown, executive director, Honolulu Habitat for Humanity

Left to right: Andrew Yani, principal and founder, Bonterra Solar; Todd Hedges - commercial design and installation, Bonterra Solar; William Neverman - sales manager, Bonterra Solar; Spencer Toyama - vice president, Bonterra Solar; Gov. Neil Abercrombie and Steve Valentin - operations manager, Bonterra Solar

The City of Baldwin Park chooses Bonterra

blair_herbert — Thu, 16 Jun 2011 03:31:08 +0000

The City of Baldwin Park has announced its plans to install a 26 kilowatt (kW) solar power system during the summer on the roof of the Esther Snyder Community Center as part of its Think Green program. The solar array will be comprised of more than 120 solar panels and will offset close to 10% of the center’s electricity usage, while lowering the City’s carbon footprint through the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions. The solar power system, which will be designed and installed by Bonterra Solar, and in partnership with Honeywell Building Solutions, will produce more than 40,000 kilowatt hours (kWh’s) per year and will save the City and its residents thousands of dollars per year. The City expects the solar power system to be producing electricity in July and plans to use the system as an educational tool for the City’s residents to learn more about the benefits of solar power. The project is being made possible through Federal Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant (EECBG) funds from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) as well as a rebate from the California Solar Initiative (CSI) and through Southern California Edison.

Kaupuni Dedication Ceremony with Governor Neil Abercrombie

spencer_toyama — Thu, 12 May 2011 00:47:08 +0000

Bonterra would like to thank Governor Neil Abercrombie for graciously recognizing our PV installation at Kaupuni Village, a project finished in partnership with the Department of Hawaiian Homelands, Hunt Construction, HECO, and Grantco Electric. The homes of Kaupuni Village are powered by 26 SolarWorld SW245 SunModules, and it is a community that Bonterra is very proud to be a part of.

SolarWorld sponsors world-class big-wave surfer Kohl Christensen on eve of paddle-in surf circuit

spencer_toyama — Thu, 28 Apr 2011 20:46:56 +0000

HILLSBORO, Ore., April 28, 2010 – SolarWorld has officially sponsored Hawaiian big-wave surfer Kohl Christensen, a SolarWorld authorized installer, in time for the Big Wave Surf Tour, an all-paddle-in series of four contests ranging from Chile to Oregon that officially launches on May 1. SolarWorld, America’s largest solar manufacturer for more than 35 years, has operated in Hawaii for 30 years, beginning with a state-federal demonstration project of grid-connected residential systems on Oahu and Molokai in 1980. SolarWorld’s solar panels have shown extraordinary reliability in the tropical island state. The company sponsored Christensen to showcase the complementary passions – in his case, solar energy and big-wave surfing – that SolarWorld installers pursue as the company helps them build their businesses. In the world of solar, Christensen, 34, is the Hawaii-based installation partner of Bonterra Renewable Energy & Solar Power; in the surfing world, he is a well-established athlete who pursues big waves at beaches all over the globe. Within the weeks after May 1, the Big Wave World Tour will start in Punta de Lobos, Chile. Other tour stops include Pico Alto, Peru; Todos Santos, Mexico; and Nelscott Reef, Oregon. All events require surfers to paddle, rather than being towed, into their rides. In 2010, Christensen finished first in Nelscott and second overall. In championing the sustainable power of solar, Christensen views the world as an islander with limited resources. “It’s important that we wean ourselves off of petroleum and become more independent, especially on islands,” Christensen said. “But in reality, we’re all on an island. I plan to show people how to use the sun and solar power.” Christensen, who grew up on the island of Oahu, lives off the grid on a three-acre property in a northwestern valley of the island where he is establishing a fruit and vegetable farm, featuring avocado, papaya and lime trees. His home uses solar electric power, solar hot water technology and solar-powered water pumping for a well. “Kohl’s passion to bring solar technology to electricity consumers one roof at a time and awe his many fans from one beach to the next will make him a compelling ambassador for solar and SolarWord,” said Rusty Pittman, U.S. head of marketing for SolarWorld. “We know he will show the way to a sunnier future wherever he surfs.” To follow Christensen’s solar-and-surf adventures, stay tuned to www.solarworldusa.com/blog.

Bonterra Commits Solar to Habitat for Humanity.

spencer_toyama — Wed, 06 Apr 2011 21:41:27 +0000

Bonterra Solar is pleased to announce the dedication of the recently completed Habitat for Humanity home in Waialua. The home will come with a brand new Solar Hot Water system which has been donated as a part of Bonterra’s Campaign for a Solar Hawaii. Since its inception, Bonterra Solar has pledged a solar hot water system to Habitat for Humanity for every 10 residential installations we complete. Bonterra is committed to enabling homes, especially new homes, to minimize their energy consumption. More information concerning the dedication can be found at www.honoluluhabitat.org. Immediately following the dedication, there will be an information session for interested Honolulu Habitat applicants. Saturday, April 9th, 2011 10 am 67-056 Kaioe Pl. Waialua, HI 96791 www.bonterrasolar.com www.honoluluhabitat.org

Residential Rooftops

tony_cooke — Thu, 03 Feb 2011 22:34:33 +0000

New photovoltaic panels on residential rooftops, professionally installed by Bonterra Solar.

Manhattan Beach Eco-Fair 10/10/10 – Bonterra Solar

blair_herbert — Thu, 07 Oct 2010 17:22:06 +0000

Come see Bonterra Solar at the Manhattan Beach Eco-Fair on 10/10/10 and learn more about how affordable solar power is and how much money you can save by Going Solar!

KHON Interview

admin — Wed, 06 Jan 2010 21:21:23 +0000

Bonterra was honored to take part in an extensive interview on Hawaii’s KHON news channel. Video of the interview is below:

Installation Day

admin — Wed, 06 Jan 2010 15:02:18 +0000

A few photos from a recent rooftop photovoltaic panel grid installation in Hawaii.