Hawaii Working on Solar Mandates

Hawaii is the first state in the nation to pass laws mandating solar hot water heaters in its building code. A second bill defines clotheslines as solar devices (therefore granting a right to them), and a third bill aims at reducing plastic bag use. The governor still needs to sign all three bills.

Solar hot water heaters are passive systems mounted on roofs that use heat-trapping material to allow sunlight to heat water via conduction. Since they are relatively inexpensive investments, it is confusing why solar hot water heaters were not mandated years ago. The systems have become even more cost effective as oil prices have risen.

The Hawaii bill has seen pushback from building and business communities, as well as from those unfriendly to mandates. While the mandate adds nearly $3,000 to the cost of a home in Hawaii, that cost is a fraction of the full cost of a home in that state. Furthermore, solar hot water heaters pay themselves off in two or three years -- or even faster as oil prices rise. Overall, solar hot water heaters are a no-brainer when it comes to conservation, and we should hope that other states follow Hawaii’s lead.

Read more at the Star Bulletin.