Andrew Keith
Senior Environmental Scientist
Hawaiian Electric Co.
Holmes Hall 244
Thursday, November 5, 2009
4:30 – 5:30 pm

Abstract

The generation of electricity using photovoltaic (PV) technology has
been around for decades, but with concern regarding the burning of
fossil fuels, PV and other forms of alternative energy have returned
to the forefront of public discussion. One Kahalu’u homeowner is
successfully utilizing this technology and, on an annual basis,
self-generates more electricity than his home consumes.

The concept of photovoltaics and nearly 15 years of hands-on
experience with the technology will be presented. Included in this
presentation will be the basics of how PV works, costs and
maintenance, pros and cons of different configurations of residential
systems, building-integrated PV and the current status of equipment,
suppliers and installers. Also addressed will be Hawaii’s Net Metering
law - why it exists, what it does, and how it greatly improves the
economics of renewable energy for the customer.

About the speaker:

Mr. Andrew Keith, MBA, BS, is a Senior Environmental Scientist with
Hawaiian Electric Company (HECO) where he provides the Company support
in environmental compliance matters. During his tenure with HECO, he
has served in electrical engineering, maintenance engineering and
power plant operations supervisory positions. Before joining HECO, Mr.
Keith was an Engineering Officer in the U.S. Merchant Marine for 10
years; he holds the license of Chief Engineer of Steam, Motor & Gas
Turbine Vessels of Unlimited Horsepower. Mr. Keith became interested
in PV in the early 1990s, as he was fascinated by the “magic” of
making electricity with no moving parts or fossil fuels. In 1995, he
began the phased installation of his system; December 2009 will mark
the 14th anniversary of its operation.

Slides and video of the talk will be available after at:

<http://reis.manoa.hawaii.edu/seminars/residential-photovoltaics>