Oahu is the third largest of the Hawaiian Islands. It is also the most populous island in the State, the state capital Honolulu is also located on this island.

Due to the increasing local population and the increase in tourists coming into the island of Oahu, the island needs more energy to power the infrastructure. The island has been using hydroelectric dams to power the island which causes negative environmental impact on streams and habitats of rare species of animals and plants on the island.

One of the ways to increase power generation on the island while causing the least amount of impact on the environment is to use green energy such as wind and solar power. Solar power might be ideal for the island state because of the amount of solar radiation Hawaii receives due to its proximity to the equator and the amount of daytime the state receives throughout the year.

The significant to the location for a solar power plant is that it should be close to urban centers and urban infrastructure and far away from the natural environment to reduce the impact it has on nature. The process of selecting a location for a solar power plant depends on the region of study, however, some criteria for evaluation remain the same for differing regions.

The amount of radiation is one of the most important factors because the more radiation an area gets, the more power that can be generated. Proximity to power lines and roads is also key because the further the power plant is away from existing infrastructure, the more the cost of the project increases due to the need for building new power lines and roads. Environmental consideration comes in the form of preservation of existing habitat and stream stewardship. Any development should consider building away from streams and critical habitats which house endangered and threatened species.