What is the Renewable Energy Resource Used in Hawaii?

According to the U.S. Department of Energy’s Energy Information Administration, Hawaii ranks third in the nation (after Maine and California) in use of renewable energy relative to the state's total electricity production (1). In 2007, the Hawaiian Electric companies achieved a consolidated Renewable Portfolio Standard (RPS) of 16.1 percent, an increase from the 13.8 percent level achieved in 2006 and 11 percent achieved in 2005. This means that 16 percent of Hawaiian Electric, Maui Electric and Hawaii Electric Light companies’ sales came from renewable energy (including solar water heating) and quantifiable energy efficiency.