General Discussion
In reply to the discussion: Germany generating so much windpower today that price for electricity will fall... below zero [View all]hunter
(40,696 posts)... that refuel the jets bringing in tourists, and cargo haulers.
The electric company burned 8.5 million barrels of oil in 2016. That's a lot of $$$ and there's political pressure not to disrupt that business. The amount of oil burned to produce electricity is already declining, partly from more efficient electric appliances and lighting, partly from renewables.
There's nothing stopping anyone from installing solar panels on their roof in Hawaii, it's been about selling excess electricity to the power company, "making the meter run backwards," that upset the utility, even though the technology for maintaining grid stability is now mature... with some kudos to Germany's renewable energy experience.
The Hawaii state legislature is aiming for 100% renewable by 2045.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hawaiian_Electric_Industries
Hawaii, like other islands, seems an ideal place for electric vehicles powered by renewable energy. Range anxiety really isn't an issue when you can't drive that far. On the Big Island, it's 125 miles from Hilo to Kailuna-Kona on the other side of the island, via highway 11. The other Hawaiian islands are smaller than that. A 2017 Chevrolet Bolt has a range of 238 miles.