Hawaii Energy Test Lab Home Page

Hawaii Energy Test Laboratory
Maui Community College 310 Ka‘ahumanu Avenue Kahului, HI 96732 (808) 984-3242

Vision of the Hawaii Energy Test Laboratory

The VISION of the Hawaii Energy Test Lab is to make Hawaii a model for the world in the sustainable use of energy.

Our Mission

Our MISSION is to increase the performance, efficiency and use of green energy by innovative monitoring, testing and education.

Hawaii is blessed with abundant natural resources such as sunlight, wind, geothermal and wave energy. It has no oil or gas deposits. There is an established solar water heating industry and an active demand reduction activity spearheaded by the utilities. HETL is envisioned as an organization which will optimize the efficiency of alternative energy production systems and energy usage in Hawaii’s unique environment. This is to be accomplished by testing systems in the field and in a laboratory setting to improve efficiency and designs. A very important part of the lab’s mission is to make the information obtained available to anyone on the web and through classes and seminars.

Test Lab Description

The Hawaii Energy Test Laboratory (HETL) has three 80 gallon solar water heating systems set up in a shipping container and photovoltaic panels at Maui Community College in Maui, Hawaii. The lab is equipped with instrumentation to measure temperatures, current, and flow rates, and solar insulation, horizontal and tilted. A usage simulation controller handles hot water output. There is a classroom adjacent to the lab.

Solar Water Heating Performance Improvement Project Goals

Study the performance of Hawaiian solar water heating designs
Train solar technicians
Develop the basic design information for the next generation of solar water heaters
Disseminate information to solar contractors, customers, government, and utilities

HETL Funding

Maui Electric Company
Maui Community College Rural Development Project
Fees for testing
Charges for seminars, classes, and books

Structure

Advisory Group - Solar contractors, Utilities (MECO, HECO, HELCO, KIUC), Maui Community College, University of Hawaii, County of Maui, National Renewable Energy Laboratory, Florida Solar Energy Center, Hawaii State DBEDT, Solar suppliers
Investigation Group - Management provided by Maui Community College/UH, Controlled tests at HETL facility, field measurements at customer sites, investigations performed by interns
Information Dissemination - Website, books, technical papers, Classes for installers and consumers, Speakers bureau, News media, Presentations to contractors, Seminars on all islands

Test List

Off-orientation performance
Recirculating loop effects
Collector plumbing method comparison
Check valve failure effects
Temperature limiting methods
Check valve performance in different locations
Tank Capacity
Hot Water Storage Capacity
Comparison of Top/Side/Bottom Connect Tanks
Sensor location test
12-Volt Pump test
Thermosyphon vs. Pump test

Acknowledgements

The following organizations contributed to this project:
Maui Electric Company, Ltd.
Hawaiian Electric Company
Hawaii Electric Light Company
Maui Community College, Sustainable Technologies Department
Maui Community College, Rural Development Project
U.S. Department of Agriculture
R&R Solar Supply
Inter-Island Solar Supply
Haleakala Solar, Inc.
Allen's Plumbing
Sunny Solutions
Dorvin D. Leis Co.
Sandia National Laboratories
Florida Solar Energy Center
Kauai Island Utility Co-op