Hoku to build Oahu's largest solar farm

Kapolei, Hawaii-based Hoku Scientific (Nasdaq: HOKU) said today its Hoku Solar unit signed an agreement with the James Campbell real estate group, also based in Kapolei, to build Oahu's largest solar farm.

The 1.5 megawatt Kapolei Sustainable Energy Park would be located in the planned Kapolei Harborside industrial project on a 12-acre parcel owned by the James Campbell company.

"We are fully committed to building Kapolei as a sustainable city and we look forward to working with Hoku on this innovative project," said Steve MacMillan, president and CEO of James Campbell.

"This is just one of many steps we have been and will be taking to actively reduce Kapolei's carbon footprint. We intend to do more to make Kapolei 'green' and are currently looking at additional sites in Kapolei that would be suitable for alternative energy projects."

The planned solar farm is expected to produce enough electricity to power 6,700 homes.

Hoku said the company and James Campbell are exploring various alternative uses for the electricity generated by the solar facility, including selling the generated power to adjacent commercial users.

James Campbell plans to assist Hoku in marketing the availability of the power, and will work with Hoku to complete a ground lease for the 12-acre parcel.

Contingent on the necessary approvals and agreements, Hoku and James Campbell expect to have the system installed by the end of this year.