MicroCSP – the Other Solar

Pacific Business News (Honolulu) – by Nanea Kalani?????? Pacific Business News

Darren Kimura Sopogy MicroCSP Pacific Business News

Building a multimillion-dollar solar farm in Europe over the next two years is part of Honolulu-based Sopogy’s strategy to get its solar technology deployed around the world.

The company announced last week that it will build a 50-megawatt system in Toledo, Spain, using its proprietary technology in partnership with a German energy financier and a Spanish project developer. The system could generate enough electricity to power 15,000 homes.

Sopogy founder and CEO Darren Kimura said the Spanish project, expected to be completed by the end of 2010 and cost about $300 million, is part of the company’s plans to expand its presence abroad as the U.S. financial market wanes.

“For about a year now, Sopogy has felt that it’s necessary to diversify and become more global,” Kimura told PBN. “Because our technology offers higher production and lower capital costs, we’re looking for sites where our technology has the best value, and the best value today lies in the European market.”

Pacific Business News (Honolulu) – by PBN Staff

Renewable energy energizes retired HECO executive

T. Michael May, who retired Aug. 1 as CEO of Hawaiian Electric Co., has teamed up with local entrepreneurs to find renewable energy sources for Hawaii.

May, 62, has equity ownership and is a board member of Sopogy, which specializes in solar power collectors. He also has equity ownership in Natural Power Concepts, an alternative energy technology incubator. And, he is involved in at least two other soon-to-be-named tech firms run by entrepreneurs in their 30s.

“It’s invigorating to be with people who have a passion for what they are doing and using their experiences and skills to quickly launch new dreams in products,” May said, adding that most of his time this year will be spent capitalizing on new ventures, and taking the ideas to market.

His wife, Carol Ai May, vice president of City Mill, thought he would take it easy during retirement.