This project delivers a 1.452 MW DC / 1.212 MW AC PV system consisting of 3,632 canopy-mounted panels and 50 inverters, serving as the final and largest phase of a 2.8 MW solar installation. Due to system capacity exceeding the shopping center’s electrical ampacity, the point of connection was routed to the 21st floor switchgear of the Ala Moana Office Building, requiring over 200 feet of riser installation, specialty coring, and fire protection. This phase also operates with its own dedicated HECO SCADA connection, separate from the main array.
Client: Brookfield Properties of Chicago (Safari Energy, LLC)- now Aspen Energy)
Category: Full-Service Engineering & Surveying Consulting Firm
Completed on: 19 January 2019
This project represents the final and largest expansion of a comprehensive 2.8 MW photovoltaic system, adding 1.452 MW DC / 1.212 MW AC of new solar capacity. The installation consists of 3,632 canopy-mounted PV panels supported by 50 inverters, designed to maximize energy production while providing functional shade for parking areas.
Because the added capacity exceeded the existing electrical ampacity of the shopping center, the system required a specialized interconnection strategy. The point of connection was established at the primary switchgear located on the 21st floor of the Ala Moana Office Building, necessitating more than 200 feet of riser installation. This work involved special coring, structural coordination, and enhanced fire protection to safely route the electrical risers through the building.
In addition, this phase of the project includes a standalone HECO SCADA connection, allowing the system to be monitored and controlled independently from the rest of the solar array. The result is a highly coordinated, technically complex solar installation that enhances renewable energy capacity while meeting the operational requirements of a major commercial facility.
