EWA Beach in Kupono is the biggest renewable energy project on Oahu to date with batteries, capable of storing four hours’ worth of electricity produced by the roughly 120,000 solar panels on 131 acres of land leased from the Navy. The new source of electricity provided to Hawaiian Electric’s grid will reduce pollution and assist the utility company in achieving a state goal of 100% power from renewable sources by 2045.

To ready the site for construction, more than 20 tons of junk and 66 tons of scrap metal were removed from the site, including abandoned cars, boats, appliances, tires and construction waste, according to the company. The site will now be home to a couple hundred grazing sheep on the property to eat grass that grows around and under the panels. More sheep could be added to the site depending on the pace of grazing. Lambscaping at its finest!

280 tons of hot-dip galvanized USA produced grounds screws at various lengths were used in the Ewa Beach Solar project in Kupono, Hawaii. Fabricated in Ohio, the ground screws were shipped to the galvanizer and stored after galvanizing until the site was ready for the material to arrive. Hot-dip galvanizing was chosen for this project due to the corrosive environment from the proximity of the ocean. The use of hot-dip galvanized steel will extend the life cycle of the ground screws to allow for the flow of energy to Hawaii’s electric grid for years to come.