Haleakala Solar recently opened a showroom at the Maui Mall in Kahului, but you don’t just buy solar panels and take them home. They require installation which is done by the company. So why the showroom? Well solar companies have found a need to physically show people the ins and outs of solar power. Soliciting doesn’t usually go over well, so now people can walk in and learn via displays of hot-water system and solar panel prototypes.

The founder of Haleakala Solar, Jim Whitcomb has been selling solar-energy systems since the 1970’s, and the interest of homeowners has been gradually increasing since then. These days, numerous homes utilize solar energy and there are over a hundred companies involved in solar energy in Hawaii. The recent tightening of the economy has driven many to figure out how to cut energy costs. While solar energy does require an initial investment that isn’t considered cheap, the money saved over the long term by using it can pay for the purchase price many times over.

Solar power is beneficial for numerous reasons. The industry creates jobs, the systems save money in energy bills, and the ecological impact is mostly just limited to the materials required to build whatever system you are utilizing. On top of that, solar energy adds some value to your property. Looking at a gorgeous home is appealing. If it’s at least partially off the grid, it’s often substantially more appealing.

If you are interested in learning more about solar energy systems, now you can run to Maui Mall when you have time and check it out. You can see the equipment and learn about the initial costs and subsequent savings as well as tax credits, financing options, and aesthetics. Haleakala Solar does all their own design and engineering. They have been in business for 34 years and have installed over 7,000 solar hot-water and photovoltaic systems throughout Maui, which has saved around 60,000 barrels of oil from being burned and has prevented 40 million pounds of carbon dioxide from being released into the atmosphere. The savings for customers? About $5million.

For more information, see the Haleakala Solar website.

As for Maui real estate, we recommend a look at Kaanapali Alii condos and our open house at Lanikeha.

If you have any questions or need any assistance, please let us know! You’ll find out contact information at the bottom of the page. Mahalo and thanks for reading this week!