“This 137-kilowatt PV system will generate over 229,000 kilowatt hours of electricity annually, which is 67 percent of the usage of this clubhouse,” said Allyn Lee, program administrator of the Department of Design and Construction’s Mechanical and Electrical Division, during the project announcement.
Alongside the solar system, Honolulu invested in LED lighting inside the clubhouse and throughout the parking lot. More than $1 million in roof repairs and building improvements were also completed, extending the structure’s lifespan.
“These improvements not only protect and extend the building’s life but also expand the safety and comfort of everyone who uses the clubhouse,” said Dean Shimamura, chief of the Facilities Division at the Department of Design and Construction.
The city estimates the annual energy savings are the equivalent of removing 32 gas-powered cars from the road each year. Golfers now benefit from shaded parking beneath the solar carport, a practical amenity in addition to its energy benefits.
The Ala Wai Golf Course project supports Hawaii’s broader statutory goal of achieving 100% renewable electricity by 2045 under the Hawai‘i Clean Energy Initiative. Honolulu has already piloted similar municipal projects, such as the Blaisdell Center solar canopy paired with battery storage, unveiled alongside the city’s 2025 Sustainability Report.
Across the state, solar adoption is surging. Hawaii had 1,383 megawatts of solar capacity by the end of 2024, with two-thirds coming from customer-sited systems, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration. In Honolulu alone, nearly 4,800 permits were issued in 2024 for PV and battery installations, with a median system cost of $31,500, state data shows.
With rooftop solar penetration already among the highest in the nation, Hawaii’s grid must continually adapt to voltage fluctuations, intermittency, and overgeneration during midday hours. As Solar Power in Hawaii explains, grid operators have adopted curtailment and advanced inverter strategies to balance the system.
Municipal solar projects like Ala Wai’s carport provide a measure of distributed resilience, reducing peak demand and potentially laying the groundwork for battery storage additions in the future. The project also aligns with Honolulu’s climate planning, as the city updates its Climate Action Plan for 2025–2030.
