As a locally owned and operated solar photovoltaic company, we were heartened by the arguments and proposals expressed by state Rep. Cynthia Thielen and state Sen. Donna Mercado Kim on behalf of frustrated Hawaii residents who are waiting indefinitely to have their rooftop photovoltaic system applications approved by HECO, and those who would like to install PV but are discouraged from even entering the queue ("HECO chided for stalling PV systems," Star-Advertiser, Sept. 20).

Because solar energy is our livelihood, we are naturally also worried as we watch the clock ticking down on federal tax credits, which are set to expire on Dec. 31, 2016.

We encourage Hawaiian Electric Co. and the state Public Utilities Commission to find solutions quickly so we can help our customers move forward as well, save money and decrease our state’s reliance on fossil fuels. At Risource Energy, we feel that it’s not ethical to accept payments and install systems if we know that they may not be turned on for up to a year. This is not pono.

So lately, when potential customers contact us to help them decrease their electricity use, we have been saying that "we don’t know" when their new systems might be turned on. We accept a down payment and submit an application, and hope, along with so many others, that HECO will approve their application.

Since HECO’s slowdown in late 2013, the waiting time to get approval for our customers from HECO has ranged from two to three months, to as long as one year. As a locally owned company, we don’t have the "deep pockets" of many of our competitors. We estimate we have at least 27 customers who are on the waiting list for green-lighting from HECO. This represents a lot of income for a small company like ours.

We support the Hawaii Clean Energy Initiative and goals to achieve 70 percent clean energy by 2030 and realize it’s not easy for any of us, including HECO. We figure it’s like trying to turn an ocean liner quickly, and it’s impossible to do.

But meanwhile:Hawaii, which is so well-positioned to be an international solar energy leader, is falling behind in achieving its renewable energy goals. To take our 2-year-old company’s small example alone: In 2012, we had 66 customers who generated 394 kilowatt hours (kWh) in solar energy; in 2013, we had 111 customers who generated 578.44 kWh in solar energy. In 2014, we’ve only been able to install PV systems for 29 customers and generate 151 kWh. We experienced 60 percent growth between 2012 and 2013, and will most likely experience 36 percent decline this year, primarily due to HECO’s requirement for a permit.

Then there are the human costs. We heard that during the good times, there were more than 5,000 employees in this industry, and that now there are fewer than 2,000. That’s a HUGE shift. Thankfully we haven’t yet had to lay off any of our hard-working employees, which is probably due to our smaller, boutique size.

We want HECO and the PUC to understand the impact these delays have — not just on us, but our entire community here in Hawaii nei.

Help us and our customers move ahead so we can all help Hawaii achieve our energy goals by 2030.