§196-6.5 - Solar water heater system required for new single-family residential construction. - Hawaii Statutes

     §196-6.5  Solar water heater system required for new single-family residential construction.  (a)  On or after January 1, 2010, no building permit shall be issued for a new single-family dwelling that does not include a solar water heater system that meets the standards established pursuant to section 269-44, unless the energy resources coordinator approves a variance.  A variance application shall only be accepted if submitted by an architect or mechanical engineer licensed under chapter 464, who attests that:

     (1)  Installation is impracticable due to poor solar resource;

     (2)  Installation is cost-prohibitive based upon a life cycle cost-benefit analysis that incorporates the average residential utility bill and the cost of the new solar water heater system with a life cycle that does not exceed fifteen years;

     (3)  A renewable energy technology system, as defined in section 235-12.5, is substituted for use as the primary energy source for heating water; or

     (4)  A demand water heater device approved by Underwriters Laboratories, Inc., is installed; provided that at least one other gas appliance is installed in the dwelling.  For the purposes of this paragraph, "demand water heater" means a gas-tankless instantaneous water heater that provides hot water only as it is needed.

     (b)  A request for a variance shall be submitted to the energy resources coordinator on an application prescribed by the energy resources coordinator and shall include a description of the location of the property and justification for the approval of a variance using the criteria established in subsection (a).  A variance shall be deemed approved if not denied within thirty working days after receipt of the variance application.  The energy resources coordinator shall publicize:

     (1)  All applications for a variance within seven days after receipt of the variance application; and

     (2)  The disposition of all applications for a variance within seven days of the determination of the variance application.

     (c)  Nothing in this section shall preclude any county from establishing procedures and standards required to implement this section.

     (d)  Nothing in this section shall preclude participation in any utility demand-side management program or public benefits fund under part VII of chapter 269. [L 2008, c 204, §2; am L 2009, c 155, §14]

 

Note

 

  Photovoltaic rebate program (repealed June 30, 2013).  L 2008, c 151.