NextEra embraces rooftop solar here

Things are looking a little sunnier in the solar power world these days.

Not only did Hawaiian Electric Co. clear nearly 2,000 photovoltaic rooftop solar systems from its approvals backlog in March, but NextEra Energy, which hopes to buy HECO, is putting out some positive messaging about rooftop solar, too.

NextEra execs said in initial briefings that the company can produce clean energy in its own at a better rate than myriad small rooftop installations. But there’s been tremendous pushback.

HECO and Public Utilities Commission officials in February officially agreed, in writing, that HECO has a "duty" to approve solar systems. And NextEra now has TV ads touting rooftop solar.

It’s smart to play ball with the PUC, which must approve NextEra’s HECO purchase.

Kudos to Taylor, and Beeman, too

There’s no crying in basketball, but still, it was rough for University of Hawaii interim coach Benjy Taylor, who said he had to call UH to confirm news reports that he’d lost the top job to Eran Ganot, 33.

After all, Taylor was able to take the men’s team to a 22-13 record after Gib Arnold was abruptly fired, amid an NCAA investigation. So kudos to Taylor for holding things together.

Meanwhile, the UH women’s team will move forward under its stellar coach, Laura Beeman, who withdrew her name as a finalist for the Utah coaching job. The Big West "Coach of the Year" finished last season with a 23-9 record, and in each of her three years here, UH has qualified for the Women’s National Invitation Tournament.