Food bank’s solar system to save thousands a year

The Hawaii Foodbank and REC Solar announced Tuesday that a recently installed solar system at the food bank’s Oahu warehouse will save enough energy costs to feed more than 90 people for a year.

The solar energy system will save the food bank approximately $41,041 in energy costs during the first year. Those first-year savings are equal to about 102,000 meals, which would feed 93 people every day for a year, according to the food bank.

“This new technology will reduce our energy costs significantly and will allow us to serve more hungry families while also contributing to a more sustainable environment on Oahu,” Hawaii Foodbank President and CEO Gerald Shintaku said in a statement.

In 2016 the Hawaii Foodbank allocated more than 12.8 million pounds of food in Oahu and Kauai.

REC Solar’s system, at 296.7 kilowatts, is expected to save the food bank $2.1 million over the next 25 years, with the annual savings increasing over time based on a sliding scale.

“It is an honor to be involved in a project where solar power is being used to offset operational expenses and will ultimately help provide more meals for those in need,” Alan Russo, senior vice president of sales and marketing at REC Solar, said in a statement.