Report Title:

Energy Resources; Solar Water Heater Systems; Retrofits

 

Description:

Requires existing single-family homes to be retrofitted with solar water heater systems after a specified date.  Authorizes the PUC to permit electrical utilities to collect a surcharge for non-compliance.

 


HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

H.B. NO.

1836

TWENTY-FIFTH LEGISLATURE, 2009

 

STATE OF HAWAII

 

 

 

 

 

 

A BILL FOR AN ACT


 

 

relating to energy resources.

 

 

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:

 


     SECTION 1.  Chapter 196, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by adding a new section to be appropriately designated and to read as follows:

     "§196-     Solar water heater system; retrofit.  (a)  No later than January 1,      , each owner of a single-family residence that has an electrical or gas-powered system for heating water shall retrofit the residence with a solar water heater system that meets the standards established pursuant to section 269-44, unless the energy resources coordinator approves a variance.  A variance shall only be approved if an architect or engineer licensed under chapter 464 attests that:

     (1)  Installation is impracticable due to poor solar resource;

     (2)  Installation is cost-prohibitive based upon a life cycle cost-benefit analysis that incorporates the average residential utility bill and the cost of the new solar water heater system with a life cycle that does not exceed fifteen years;

     (3)  A substitute renewable energy technology system, as defined in section 235-12.5, is used as the primary energy source for heating water; or

     (4)  A demand water heater device approved by Underwriters Laboratories, Inc., is installed; provided that at least one other gas appliance is installed in the dwelling.  For the purposes of this paragraph, "demand water heater" means a gas-tankless instantaneous water heater that provides hot water only as it is needed.

     (b)  A request for a variance shall be submitted to the energy resources coordinator on an application prescribed by the energy resources coordinator and shall include, but not be limited to, a description of the location of the property and justification for the approval of a variance using the criteria established in subsection (a).  A variance shall be deemed approved if not denied within thirty working days after receipt of the variance application.

     (c)  Nothing in this section shall preclude any county from establishing procedures and standards required to implement this section.

     (d)  Nothing in this section shall preclude participation in any utility demand-side management program or public benefits fund under part VII of chapter 269.

     (e)  The public utilities commission may authorize electrical utilities to collect a monthly surcharge from customers who are not in compliance with this section."

     SECTION 2.  New statutory material is underscored.

     SECTION 3.  This Act shall take effect upon its approval.

 

INTRODUCED BY:

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