Hoʻāhu Energy Completes Nanogrid Project

The Nanogrid project provides 14 qualified off-grid families with solar photovoltaic (PV) systems paired with battery energy storage. Submitted photo

Hoʻāhu Energy Cooperative Molokaʻi News Release

Hoʻāhu Energy Cooperative Molokaʻi is proud to announce completion of Phase 1 of its Nanogrid Project, a community-led initiative that brings renewable energy and battery storage to off-grid households while advancing energy sovereignty, resilience and environmental justice across Molokai. 

The project provides 14 qualified off-grid ʻohana with community-designed solar photovoltaic (PV) systems paired with battery energy storage. By delivering reliable clean electricity, the initiative reduces dependence on fossil fuels, lowers household energy costs and improves quality of life for families facing some of the island’s greatest energy challenges. 

“Our vision is to ensure that every family has access to reliable, affordable and resilient energy,” Projects Coordinator Leilani Chow of Hoʻāhu Energy Cooperative Molokaʻi said. 

“The Nanogrid Project demonstrates what is possible when communities lead the design and implementation of energy solutions that reflect local values and priorities.”

The Nanogrid Project complements larger renewable energy initiatives while demonstrating how distributed energy resources can strengthen community resilience. Priority is given to households with critical health needs, kūpuna, and families with children, ensuring the project’s benefits reach those who need them most. 

The initiative is supported through the Energy Storage for Community Resilience Initiative, which is led by Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL) and Sandia National Laboratories under the sponsorship of the U.S. Department of Energy’s Office of Electricity Energy Storage Program. The collaborative effort helps rural, tribal, and Indigenous communities integrate energy storage technologies that improve reliability, affordability and resilience. 

Hoʻāhu also collaborates with partners including the Honnold Foundation and Shake Energy Collaborative to expand access to clean energy and demonstrate community-centered approaches to the energy transition. 

More than a technology project, the Nanogrid Project reflects Hoʻāhu’s commitment to building an energy future grounded in mālama ʻāina, cultural stewardship and community self-determination. By combining community-scale nanogrids with broader renewable energy development, Hoʻāhu is creating a model for equitable energy solutions that can inspire communities throughout Hawaiʻi and beyond. 

Hoʻāhu Energy Cooperative Molokaʻi is a community-based organization dedicated to advancing renewable energy, energy sovereignty, and environmental justice on Molokaʻi. Through education, workforce development, and community-driven clean energy projects, Hoʻāhu works to create an equitable and resilient energy future that honors the island’s people, culture, and natural resources.

Community members, partners, and supporters are invited to visit the group’s website at hoahuenergy.coop to learn more about the Nanogrid Project and Hoʻāhu Energy Cooperative Molokaʻi’s ongoing work to build a resilient, energy-independent future for Molokaʻi.