The company will provide the university with solar electricity at a discounted price, when compared to current utility rates, helping the university reduce its budgetary constraints.
SolarCity is installing a series of 260kW photovoltaic systems on the rooftops of buildings that house the university’s Marine Biology Institute.
University of Hawai’i Chancellor Tom Apple called the project an important step for the university to achieve its goal of generating renewable energy to meet 25% of its needs by 2020.
SolarCity director of government affairs Jon Yoshimura added, "The University of Hawaii is setting an example for other educational institutions by taking a forward-thinking approach to its energy needs while shifting the school to homegrown solar electricity."
Lower costs of renewable energy makes clean power more accessible, said Yoshimura.
