On January 9 Hawaii Governor Linda Lingle announced that 12 large solar power projects would be developed in different locations around the state. The governor’s office has stated that the proposed photovoltaic system would reduce Hawaii’s need for approximately 130,000 barrels of fuel oit per year and would generate enough power to supply 9,000 homes.

The Department of Transportation (DOT) is is hosting the project and is looking for proposals from private companies to develop photovotaic systems that could generate as much as 34 MW of electricity.

The plan is to have all 12 sites operating within the next 24 months.

The Hawaii Governor press release.