Blue Hawaiian Helicopters Goes Solar...

via:  Green Business Bureau

Green Business Bureau member Blue Hawaiian Helicopters, the largest air-tour company in Hawaii, has installed a solar power system on the rooftops of its two Operations Center buildings at the Maui Heliport. The Blue Hawaiian array consists of 432 panels providing 102 kw of power, which handles, on average, 90% of Blue Hawaiian’s electrical requirements on Maui.

“In the 25 years since we founded Blue Hawaiian,” states CEO David Chevalier, “we have always worked hard to be on the leading edge of our industry, while doing all we can to be good neighbors, minimizing our impact on Hawaii’s environment. We spent four years helping American Eurocopter develop the 21^st century Eco-Star helicopter, which is not only more fuel efficient, but results in 50% less noise on the ground. That’s why we’re so excited about our new solar power system. It continues our commitment to sustaining Hawaii’s delicate ecology and being responsible corporate citizens.”

The Blue Hawaiian photo-voltaic system was designed and engineered with the professional collaboration of Haleakala Solar, Maui’s leader in solar systems since 1977 and one of the most enduring solar companies in the United States.

Jim Whitcomb, president of Haleakala Solar, looks back on the project’s challenges:

“Blue Hawaiian presented us with substantial energy requirements, especially given their FAA Certified Service Center which draws power for mechanical and maintenance equipment, compressors, electric tools, and sophisticated devices like a state-of-the-art flight simulator. In addition, their two Operations Center buildings are fully air conditioned and contain extensive computer networks, interior display enhancements, guest services, water features, and so on. Not only were we able to work with Blue to create an ideal solution, but we also incorporated an automatic washing system that keeps the panels running at peak efficiency.”