The State of Hawaii's Accounting and General Services Department soon will be outfitted with a 236-kilowatt solar system that will be operational early next year, according to published reports.

More than 1,000 photovoltaic panels will be installed on the roof of the Kalanimoku Building in Honolulu's capital district, as supported by stimulus money from the U.S. Energy Department. By 2030, the state is attempting to generate 70 percent of its electricity from renewable sources. These new panels are projected to be completed by February 2011.

"This project will serve as a very visible demonstration of the State's commitment to clean energy and will provide valuable educational opportunities to the occupants of government offices, the public and decision makers," Ted Liu, director of the Economic Development and Tourism Business Department, told brighterenergy.org.

The solar paneling, which will be installed by NORESCO of Massachusetts, is projected to generate 296,849 kilowatt-hours of renewable energy annually. That will reduce each year's greenhouse gas emissions by about 500,000.

"The investments in energy efficiency improvements at State buildings will save taxpayer money in the long-run by reducing electricity costs, while helping to move Hawaii toward a clean energy future," governor Linda Lingle said.