HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES	H.R. NO.	170
THIRTY-THIRD LEGISLATURE, 2026
STATE OF HAWAII

HOUSE RESOLUTION

 

 

URGING THE DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE AND BIOSECURITY TO EXPLORE AND PURSUE OPPORTUNITIES TO colocate COMMUNITY-BASED RENEWABLE ENERGY GENERATING PROJECTS with AGRICULTURAL RESERVOIRS AND IRRIGATION WATER INFRASTRUCTURE.

 

 

 

     WHEREAS, the State of Hawaii has established ambitious clean energy goals, committing the State to achieving one hundred percent renewable electricity by 2045 in order to reduce dependence on imported fossil fuels, increase energy security, and mitigate climate change; and

 

     WHEREAS, agricultural reservoirs and irrigation systems across Hawaii represent underutilized infrastructure assets that could support innovative renewable energy generation technologies while continuing to serve essential water management functions; and

 

     WHEREAS, renewable energy technologies that can be colocated with water infrastructure include floating solar photovoltaic systems and gravity-powered water energy generation technologies that produce electricity from the movement of water through pipes, canals, and irrigation systems without requiring dams or major alterations to existing infrastructure; and

 

     WHEREAS, Hawaii possesses an extensive network of agricultural reservoirs, irrigation ditches, pipelines, and gravity-fed water delivery systems originally developed to support plantation agriculture and now used to support diversified farming across the islands, which creates opportunities to integrate renewable energy technologies without interfering with irrigation operations; and

 

     WHEREAS, colocating renewable energy systems with agricultural water infrastructure can provide multiple benefits by generating clean electricity, reducing water evaporation from reservoirs, reducing algae growth, improving water quality, improving water management efficiency, preserving valuable agricultural lands for food production, and lowering energy costs associated with water delivery and pumping; and

 

     WHEREAS, community-based renewable energy projects enable residents, farmers, and local businesses to participate directly in the benefits of renewable energy generation, including lower energy costs, local ownership opportunities, and increased economic development in rural communities; and

 

     WHEREAS, numerous community-led initiatives and local organizations across Hawaii are actively working to develop community-scale renewable energy projects, which demonstrates strong public interest in locally controlled clean energy solutions that benefit farmers, residents, and communities; and

 

     WHEREAS, successful examples of renewable energy generation colocated on water infrastructure already exist in the United States, including floating solar photovoltaic installations on reservoirs and water treatment facilities that generate clean electricity while conserving water resources; and

 

     WHEREAS, a study released by the National Renewable Energy Laboratory found significant potential for floating solar photovoltaic systems on reservoirs in the United States; and

 

     WHEREAS, the study determined that reservoirs across the United States could host enough floating solar panels to generate up to 1,476 hours of electricity, which means that there are substantial opportunities to integrate renewable energy generation with existing water infrastructure; and

 

     WHEREAS, gravity-powered in-pipe hydropower systems capture energy from the natural movement of water through pipelines, canals, and irrigation systems by installing turbines within existing water conveyance infrastructure, which allows electricity to be generated without dams or disruption to water delivery; now, therefore,

 

     BE IT RESOLVED by the House of Representatives of the Thirty-third Legislature of the State of Hawaii, Regular Session of 2026, that the Hawaii Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity is urged to explore and pursue opportunities to colocate community-based renewable energy generating projects with agricultural reservoirs and irrigation water infrastructure throughout the State; and

 

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Department is encouraged to collaborate with farmers, community organizations, electric utilities, renewable energy developers, and other relevant stakeholders to identify suitable sites for floating solar and gravity-powered water energy projects; and

 

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Department is encouraged to support feasibility studies, pilot projects, and demonstration projects that evaluate the technical, economic, and environmental potential of renewable energy systems integrated with agricultural water infrastructure; and

 

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that these projects should prioritize community-based renewable energy participation opportunities and ensure that the benefits of renewable energy generation are intended to meaningfully benefit local communities; and

 

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that certified copies of this Resolution be transmitted to the Governor, Chairperson of the Board of Agriculture and Biosecurity, Chairperson of the Public Utilities Commission, and Chief Energy Officer of the Hawaii State Energy Office.

 

 

 

	OFFERED BY:	_____________________________

Report Title: 

Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity; Renewable Energy