Solar water heaters required for new homes

Solar water heaters will be required as the primary renewable energy source for new homes after January 1, 2010.

State Senate Bill 644, Act 204, is another step in Hawaii¡¯s Clean Energy Initiative to decrease Hawaii¡¯s dependence on fossil fuel with renewable energy sources by 2030.

Not all areas of the Big Island produce sufficient sunlight to operate a solar water heater system to supply a household with hot water, however. An architect or engineer may, on behalf of the homeowner, file for a variance with State of Hawaii Department of Business, Economic Development & Tourism Strategic Industries Division requesting alternate energy sources.