Paeahu
Community outreach
Community Engagement
With its sustainable approach to renewable energy projects, Innergex engages with surrounding communities and seeks their input to build projects that are welcomed and accepted by a majority of People.
The intention of Innergex, in conjunction with Ulupalakua Ranch, has been to engage with the local communities to proactively foster their understanding of Paeahu, seek their input, understand local values, and discover areas of mutual interest through open, two-way communication.
Innergex continues to engage in extensive outreach efforts. These efforts have focused on one-on-one interviews, community information sessions (open houses), and multiple meetings with community organizations. A summary of the dates of community information sessions and links to presentation material include:
Maui Meadows Community Meeting and Public Open House
We thank you for attending and participating in the Maui Meadows community meeting held on October 19, 2018, and the public open house held on October 30, 2018, at the Kihei Community Recreation Centre and other community engagement meetings we held. To have a look at the presentation and poster material, click here. The collated feedback received during the November 1 – 30, 2018 comment period can be found in the Consultation Report.
Public Information Sessions
We thank you for attending and participating in the public information sessions held on June 3, 4 and 5, 2019, at MRTC. To have a look at the presentation and poster material, click here.
Additionally we held another public information session in March 2020 which can be found here.
Evidentiary Hearing
The Public Utilities Commission (PUC) held a two-day evidentiary hearing on December 4 and 5, 2019 with all parties represented. Both Maui Electric and Innergex presented compelling information during the hearing. We are pleased the PUC subsequently approved the PPA in October 2020. The documents related to the PUC proceeding can be found on the PUC website using Docket No. 2018-0433.
Frequently asked questions
See the Frequently Asked Questions handout in the Downloads section for details and background information.
Innergex is proposing a 15 MW solar photovoltaic and 60 MWh battery energy storage system project on Ulupalakua Ranch, mauka of Piilani Highway in South Maui, under a land lease agreement. The project will be located on approximately 150 acres of ranch land.
Ulupalakua Ranch was selected because it has an excellent solar resource, buildable land, existing Maui Electric infrastructure (i.e. substation and transmission line), and Ulupalakua Ranch’s interest in creating sustainable, diversified uses of the less productive areas of their land. In addition, Maui Electric identified the need for regional electricity generation in South Maui due to load growth and constrained transmission capability.
Innergex responded to a Request for Proposal (RFP) issued by Maui Electric Company, Ltd (“Maui Electric”) in 2018 for renewable energy that will help stabilize and lower costs while reducing the state’s reliance on imported fossil fuels and cutting greenhouse gas emissions.
For 30 years, Innergex has believed in a world where abundant renewable energy promotes healthier communities and creates shared prosperity. As an independent renewable power producer which develops, acquires, owns and operates hydroelectric facilities, wind farms, solar farms and energy storage facilities, Innergex is convinced that generating power from renewable sources will lead the way to a better world. Innergex conducts operations in Canada, the United States, France and Chile.
Innergex will be responsible for 100% of the development, construction, and start-up costs. After completion, Innergex will also be responsible for all operational and maintenance costs.
Maui has some of the highest electricity prices in the United States at 35 cents per kWh. The price of solar plus battery energy storage in the Maui Electric RFP is the lowest to date for renewable electricity in the state. The Project will provide a fixed, long-term price of 11.7 cents per kWh, in place of the volatile prices of fossil fuels. This is more than 20% lower than Maui Electric’s current cost of generating electricity which will put downward pressure on electricity rates.
Paeahu will power approximately 6,900 homes with renewable energy. This will contribute to the State of Hawaii’s goal to achieve 100% renewable energy by 2045 and reduce the state’s dependency on imported fossil fuels. The project capitalizes on an abundant solar resource which is the least expensive form of renewable energy available in Hawaii today.
In keeping with Innergex’s core values, preference will be given to local suppliers and contractors throughout the development of the project. The project will also contribute to local organizations, community projects and events throughout the life of the project.
The battery storage system was a key aspect of the RFP. The batteries would be completely charged from the solar panels during the day. The energy can then be used during peak demand in the evening or at other times when the sun is not shining.
Respecting the archaeological, cultural, and environmental features of any site that Innergex develops is a priority. The intent is to arrive at the best possible final layout that balances archaeological, cultural, environmental, technical, economic and social considerations.
Innergex responded to Maui Electric’s Request for Proposal in April 2018 and, after meeting other milestones, was awarded a Power Purchase Agreement in December 2018. Innergex anticipates completing construction and beginning operation of the project by June 2022.
The Project’s power purchase agreement (PPA) with Maui Electric will have a term of 25 years. Thereafter, the project can be acquired by Maui Electric, have its PPA renewed, or be decommissioned, recycled and returned to its original state.
Community feedback
How has local input influenced development decisions?
- The solar array racking system design was changed from single-axis trackers to fixed-tilt.
- Fixed-tilt systems have the advantage of being slope tolerant and can be installed in a more compact space compared to single-axis trackers. Due to the topography of the site, the use of fixed-tilt foundations allows for a reduced Project footprint; thereby allowing more flexibility on the micro-siting of the solar array.
- The Project layout has been designed to take into account the results of the archaeological and environmental studies (see attached figures).
- The solar panels will occupy about one-quarter of the approximately 200-acre study area.
- June 2020 Project Update Letter.
- The Project is planning to use a temporary access road outside of Maui Meadows during construction.
- Use of Piilani Highway during construction would be temporary and would try to avoid peak traffic hours.
- During operations the site requires only minimal access by light-duty vehicles.
- Best management practices will be used during construction and operation such as scheduling deliveries for non-peak hours of traffic, minimizing the number of vehicles on roadways.
- See Appendix L_Traffic Impact Analysis Report as part of the County Special Use Permit application.
Setbacks Increased
- The initially-proposed setback to the solar panels was 200 feet, this revised project layout has now increased the setback to be a minimum of 300 feet away from the property line or equivalent to a football field away.
- Existing vegetation between the fence lines will be preserved which further reduces the visibility of the Project from the Maui Meadows homes adjacent to Ulupalakua Ranch.
- We remain committed to the solar array height being about 8-9 feet (reduced from about 16 feet) to keep them at the approximate height of the existing tree line.
Refer to the June 2020 Project Update – Revised Project Layout
View Planes Mitigated
- The Project will be partially visible from select locations.
- We developed visual (photo) simulations of the project through an experienced engineering firm to understand the potential views from the homes along the border of the ranch land and shared them with the community. Updated visual simulations are being prepared based on this design layout and we look forward to sharing them with the community this summer.
- We committed to adding additional vegetation to the existing vegetation buffer between the property line and the Project fence line where beneficial to mitigating view planes of the select homes directly adjacent to the ranch that may be affected.
- Homes that border the ranch will have potential views of the project. All the other homes within the neighborhood will have no view of the project as Maui Meadows is on a hillside and the combination of all the other houses being below the natural elevation of the ranch and the row of adjacent houses to the ranch block views.
Noise
- Although noise related to the single-axis trackers was not expected to be audible from any neighboring residences, we took this concern into consideration and switched our design to fixed-tilt foundation. This change eliminates the potential for noise from the solar tracker motors.
- See Acoustic Assessment Report as part of the County Special Use Permit application.
- The solar panels will have an anti-reflection coating.
- With the fixed-tilt foundations, the potential glint and glare from the panels will be mitigated by the anti-reflective coating on the panels and by design and modifications of the array azimuth or direction in which the panels face (south-east).
- The Project design accounts for potential glint or glare and follows guidance developed by the Federal
- Aviation Administration (FAA).
- Preliminary analysis that simulated the perspective of nearby residences did NOT find any glint or glare issues.
- Detailed analysis will be conducted on the revised project layout and if any issues are identified then measures will be taken to mitigate them.
- See
- See Appendix O_Glare Analysis Report as part of the County Special Use Permit application.
- Preliminary meeting was held with the Maui Fire Department to discuss fire protection and risk reduction in which the department noted the project would act as a firebreak to Maui Meadows.
- A fire safety plan will be implemented. We will work with the department to identify and mitigate safety risks to prevent incidents and protect employees, first responders, the public and the environment.
- A site visit with the Fire Department will be held to review procedures for different types of potential incidents
- See Appendix C_Fire Code_Vegetation Management Plan as part of the County Special Use Permit application.
- The Project’s battery energy storage system has been designed to comply with national fire safety standards and best safety practices including proper training for operators and first responders.
- Battery storage to be used at the Project site has undergone stringent safety testing and are designed for commercial and outdoor use and will utilize liquid cooled lithium-ion batteries enclosed in multiple smaller steel cabinets to mitigate fire spread in the case of an external or internal fire event.
- Battery supplier has completed a full-scale hazard assessment of its battery system by the US National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) that included both internal and external fire attack experiments.
- See Appendix C_Fire Code_Vegetation Management Plan as part of the County Special Use Permit application.
- Required archaeological, biological, technical, and site-specific surveys and studies are underway to assess potential impacts, mitigation measure, design limitations, and meeting permitting criteria for the Project.
- Site-specific plans will be prepared to address potential impacts (e.g. spill and stormwater prevention, erosion and sediment control).
- Innergex is regularly consulting with the Aha Moku, environmental groups, and other stakeholders on to these surveys and studies.
- See County Special Use Permit application.
- The Project will not change the local climate or affect the natural flow of air across Maui Meadows or southern Maui. The up- and down-slope winds off Haleakala would overwhelm any heat creation from the solar farm. The Project area is simply too small in relation to the area of the southwestern slope of Haleakala to have a significant impact on the natural air movement across Maui Meadows and the larger Wailea area.
- The Tetra Tech Memorandum RE Heat Island Effect in Context to the Proposed Paeahu Solar Project, Maui County, Hawaii dated July 2020.
- See Appendix R_Heat Island Memorandum as part of the County Special Use Permit application.
- EMF levels in the local area will not change as a result of the Project. Electric facilities produce EMF, as do household appliances and electrical lights. The Project will produce low levels of DC EMF from panels and collector lines, and AC EMF from inverters, battery energy storage system, transformers, and power lines.
- Levels of DC EMF produced are significantly less than the Earth’s magnetic field. Levels of AC EMF also decrease rapidly with distance and point sources will be 625 – 3,000 ft from the Maui Meadows neighborhood. As a result, no electric or magnetic fields created by the project will be measurable at any residences.
- The term “dirty” power is used to describe electricity containing high radio frequency noise. “Dirty” power is commonly produced by household electronics such as computers. Utility-scale power generators such as solar farms must meet national power quality standards and include high frequency voltage filtering. Project equipment must meet federal radio frequency standards and any low levels produced dissipate near the source, leaving no measurable levels at the project boundary.
- Innergex followed-up with the two companies put forward by Dr. Debra Greene: Cratus Canada on December 12, 2018 and Satic Inc. on December 13, 2018. Satic agreed that the proposed project at these distances are far enough away to not have an impact on the neighboring residences. Innergex requested that they provide additional information for review and consideration.
- Refer to the Tetra Tech Memorandum RE EMF and ‘Dirty Power’ in Context to the Proposed Paeahu Solar Project, Maui County, Hawaii dated July 2020.
- See Appendix Q_Electro Magnetic Frequency Memorandum as part of the County Special Use Permit application.
- Two property impact analyses have concluded that the Project is not expected to have an adverse effect on nearby property values.
- An analysis was conducted by CohnReznick to quantify changes in adjacent property values upon the construction, operation, and overall presence of a solar facility in various locations in the United States. The study locations represent California, Hawaii, Indiana, Minnesota, and New York in a variety of market conditions to ensure an unbiased and distinct sample size.
- Property values for parcels adjacent to an existing facility were analyzed (as well as in various phases of construction where possible) as a test group and compared with properties outside of the vicinity of any solar project as the control group using indicators. In order to take into account market fluctuations due to time and location of sales, a regression model was used to scale price and demand for properties and ensure comparability. Impact to property value was measured in differences in range of sale prices, unit sale prices, conditions of sale, and overall marketability between the control group and the test group.
- In all areas studied, it was conclusive that proximity to an existing solar facility did not have an impact on property values. This conclusion was reaffirmed by property assessment and sales professionals.
- See Appendix P – Property Value Impact Study as part of County SUP application.
- Colliers International analyzed tax assessment and property sale values for properties adjacent to two
recent utility-scale solar projects in Hawaii (Waianae and Waihonu). Residential properties adjacent or
in close proximity to the solar farms increased in value over 3-4 years between 8% to 35%.
At present, Innergex anticipates that upon completion of construction and during normal operations of the Project there will only be security lighting in use for the Project. The Project is expected to include a security fence with gates. A security light will be installed at the gate(s). Depending on the location along the fence line, the light will be at least 250 feet away from the nearest residence.
The light will have a motion sensor which will activate for the safety of authorized personnel, in those rare circumstances, that they may need to access the site at night. In addition, light from the security light will be shielded and directed downward to prevent upward radiation, and fitted with non-white light bulbs to the extent possible. Lighting should be situated so that light does not shine on and reflect off the solar panels. Thus, even assuming light from the security light can be seen from Maui Meadows residential development, it is not expected to have a significant impact on recreational stargazing or other similar activities by nearby residences. Apart from the security light at the gate(s), no other security lights, or any other types of lights or lighting, will be used after completion and during regular operation of the Project unless otherwise directed by Maui Electric Company or code compliance.
- The solar array racking system design was changed from single-axis trackers to fixed-tilt.
- Fixed-tilt systems have the advantage of being slope tolerant and can be installed in a more compact space compared to single-axis trackers. Due to the topography of the site, the use of fixed-tilt foundations allows for a reduced Project footprint; thereby allowing more flexibility on the micro-siting of the solar array.
- The Project layout has been designed to take into account the results of the archaeological and environmental studies (see attached figures).
- The solar panels will occupy about one-quarter of the approximately 200-acre study area.
- June 2020 Project Update Letter.
- The Project is planning to use a temporary access road outside of Maui Meadows during construction.
- Use of Piilani Highway during construction would be temporary and would try to avoid peak traffic hours.
- During operations the site requires only minimal access by light-duty vehicles.
- Best management practices will be used during construction and operation such as scheduling deliveries for non-peak hours of traffic, minimizing the number of vehicles on roadways.
- See Appendix L_Traffic Impact Analysis Report as part of the County Special Use Permit application.
Setbacks Increased
- The initially-proposed setback to the solar panels was 200 feet, this revised project layout has now increased the setback to be a minimum of 300 feet away from the property line or equivalent to a football field away.
- Existing vegetation between the fence lines will be preserved which further reduces the visibility of the Project from the Maui Meadows homes adjacent to Ulupalakua Ranch.
- We remain committed to the solar array height being about 8-9 feet (reduced from about 16 feet) to keep them at the approximate height of the existing tree line.
Refer to the June 2020 Project Update – Revised Project Layout
View Planes Mitigated
- The Project will be partially visible from select locations.
- We developed visual (photo) simulations of the project through an experienced engineering firm to understand the potential views from the homes along the border of the ranch land and shared them with the community. Updated visual simulations are being prepared based on this design layout and we look forward to sharing them with the community this summer.
- We committed to adding additional vegetation to the existing vegetation buffer between the property line and the Project fence line where beneficial to mitigating view planes of the select homes directly adjacent to the ranch that may be affected.
- Homes that border the ranch will have potential views of the project. All the other homes within the neighborhood will have no view of the project as Maui Meadows is on a hillside and the combination of all the other houses being below the natural elevation of the ranch and the row of adjacent houses to the ranch block views.
Refer to the Visual (Photo) Simulations
Noise
- Although noise related to the single-axis trackers was not expected to be audible from any neighboring residences, we took this concern into consideration and switched our design to fixed-tilt foundation. This change eliminates the potential for noise from the solar tracker motors.
- See Acoustic Assessment Report as part of the County Special Use Permit application.
- The solar panels will have an anti-reflection coating.
- With the fixed-tilt foundations, the potential glint and glare from the panels will be mitigated by the anti-reflective coating on the panels and by design and modifications of the array azimuth or direction in which the panels face (south-east).
- The Project design accounts for potential glint or glare and follows guidance developed by the Federal
- Aviation Administration (FAA).
- Preliminary analysis that simulated the perspective of nearby residences did NOT find any glint or glare issues.
- Detailed analysis will be conducted on the revised project layout and if any issues are identified then measures will be taken to mitigate them.
- See
- See Appendix O_Glare Analysis Report as part of the County Special Use Permit application.
- Preliminary meeting was held with the Maui Fire Department to discuss fire protection and risk reduction in which the department noted the project would act as a firebreak to Maui Meadows.
- A fire safety plan will be implemented. We will work with the department to identify and mitigate safety risks to prevent incidents and protect employees, first responders, the public and the environment.
- A site visit with the Fire Department will be held to review procedures for different types of potential incidents
- See Appendix C_Fire Code_Vegetation Management Plan as part of the County Special Use Permit application.
- The Project’s battery energy storage system has been designed to comply with national fire safety standards and best safety practices including proper training for operators and first responders.
- Battery storage to be used at the Project site has undergone stringent safety testing and are designed for commercial and outdoor use and will utilize liquid cooled lithium-ion batteries enclosed in multiple smaller steel cabinets to mitigate fire spread in the case of an external or internal fire event.
- Battery supplier has completed a full-scale hazard assessment of its battery system by the US National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) that included both internal and external fire attack experiments.
- See Appendix C_Fire Code_Vegetation Management Plan as part of the County Special Use Permit application.
- Required archaeological, biological, technical, and site-specific surveys and studies are underway to assess potential impacts, mitigation measure, design limitations, and meeting permitting criteria for the Project.
- Site-specific plans will be prepared to address potential impacts (e.g. spill and stormwater prevention, erosion and sediment control).
- Innergex is regularly consulting with the Aha Moku, environmental groups, and other stakeholders on to these surveys and studies.
- See County Special Use Permit application.
Refer to the Studies, Surveys & Technical Memorandums
- The Project will not change the local climate or affect the natural flow of air across Maui Meadows or southern Maui. The up- and down-slope winds off Haleakala would overwhelm any heat creation from the solar farm. The Project area is simply too small in relation to the area of the southwestern slope of Haleakala to have a significant impact on the natural air movement across Maui Meadows and the larger Wailea area.
- The Tetra Tech Memorandum RE Heat Island Effect in Context to the Proposed Paeahu Solar Project, Maui County, Hawaii dated December 12, 2018.
- See Appendix R_Heat Island Memorandum as part of the County Special Use Permit application.
- EMF levels in the local area will not change as a result of the Project. Electric facilities produce EMF, as do household appliances and electrical lights. The Project will produce low levels of DC EMF from panels and collector lines, and AC EMF from inverters, battery energy storage system, transformers, and power lines.
- Levels of DC EMF produced are significantly less than the Earth’s magnetic field. Levels of AC EMF also decrease rapidly with distance and point sources will be 625 – 3,000 ft from the Maui Meadows neighborhood. As a result, no electric or magnetic fields created by the project will be measurable at any residences.
- The term “dirty” power is used to describe electricity containing high radio frequency noise. “Dirty” power is commonly produced by household electronics such as computers. Utility-scale power generators such as solar farms must meet national power quality standards and include high frequency voltage filtering. Project equipment must meet federal radio frequency standards and any low levels produced dissipate near the source, leaving no measurable levels at the project boundary.
- Innergex followed-up with the two companies put forward by Dr. Debra Greene: Cratus Canada on December 12, 2018 and Satic Inc. on December 13, 2018. Satic agreed that the proposed project at these distances are far enough away to not have an impact on the neighboring residences. Innergex requested that they provide additional information for review and consideration.
- Refer to the Tetra Tech Memorandum RE EMF and ‘Dirty Power’ in Context to the Proposed Paeahu Solar Project, Maui County, Hawaii dated December 15, 2018.
- See Appendix Q_Electro Magnetic Frequency Memorandum as part of the County SUP application.
- Two property impact analyses have concluded that the Project is not expected to have an adverse effect on nearby property values.
- An analysis was conducted by CohnReznick to quantify changes in adjacent property values upon the construction, operation, and overall presence of a solar facility in various locations in the United States. The study locations represent California, Hawaii, Indiana, Minnesota, and New York in a variety of market conditions to ensure an unbiased and distinct sample size.
- Property values for parcels adjacent to an existing facility were analyzed (as well as in various phases of construction where possible) as a test group and compared with properties outside of the vicinity of any solar project as the control group using indicators. In order to take into account market fluctuations due to time and location of sales, a regression model was used to scale price and demand for properties and ensure comparability. Impact to property value was measured in differences in range of sale prices, unit sale prices, conditions of sale, and overall marketability between the control group and the test group.
- In all areas studied, it was conclusive that proximity to an existing solar facility did not have an impact on property values. This conclusion was reaffirmed by property assessment and sales professionals.
- Colliers International analyzed tax assessment and property sale values for properties adjacent to two
recent utility-scale solar projects in Hawaii (Waianae and Waihonu). Residential properties adjacent or
in close proximity to the solar farms increased in value over 3-4 years between 8% to 35%. - See Appendix P – Property Value Impact Study as part of County SUP application.
At present, Innergex anticipates that upon completion of construction and during normal operations of the Project there will only be security lighting in use for the Project. The Project is expected to include a security fence with gates. A security light will be installed at the gate(s). Depending on the location along the fence line, the light will be at least 250 feet away from the nearest residence.
The light will have a motion sensor which will activate for the safety of authorized personnel, in those rare circumstances, that they may need to access the site at night. In addition, light from the security light will be shielded and directed downward to prevent upward radiation, and fitted with non-white light bulbs to the extent possible. Lighting should be situated so that light does not shine on and reflect off the solar panels. Thus, even assuming light from the security light can be seen from Maui Meadows residential development, it is not expected to have a significant impact on recreational stargazing or other similar activities by nearby residences. Apart from the security light at the gate(s), no other security lights, or any other types of lights or lighting, will be used after completion and during regular operation of the Project unless otherwise directed by Maui Electric Company or code compliance.