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In Hawaii and around the world, 2015 was a historic turning point for renewable energy. On this eve of 2016, let’s count down the Top 10 for clean energy in Hawaii.

10. Solar Impulse Lands In Hawaii

Flying through the night on nothing but solar power? That’s what the plane did on its from Nagoya, Japan, to Oahu in July. It’s part of its attempt to fly around the globe using only the sun for energy. The plane represents the edge of what’s possible—and gives hope for a new era in clean transportation.

9. The PUC Decision On The Utility’s Energy Plans

The Public Utilities Commission sent Hawaiian Electric back to the drawing board to develop a long-term plan with more low-cost renewables, distributed energy storage, electric vehicles, and other components of our clean energy future. The PUC was unambiguous in directing the utility to embrace a modern, low-cost, low-carbon future.

8. WEfficiency Sets Hawaii Crowdfunding Record

Blue Planet’s WEfficiency platform helped nonprofits reduce their energy bill through “loanations” (a hybrid between a donation and a loan) from clean energy supporters. The 2015 project for Kauai’s National Tropical Botanical Garden raised over $280,000 — a crowdfunding record for Hawaii.

7. Federal Renewable Energy Tax Credit Extended

This Congress got at least one thing right: Federal support for solar and wind energy will continue beyond 2016. Solar energy will continue to receive a 30 percent federal tax credit through 2019, while large wind will receive a decreasing credit down to 10 percent into the future.

6. Crazy Weather: Climate Change Comes Home

Despite the climate deniers, nature doesn’t negotiate. We had a taste of a changing climate this past summer as the Pacific became a caldron with record high temperatures, unprecedented downpour events, dying reefs, slackening trades, and an unheard-of 15 tropical cyclones close to home. Folks with long history in these islands know it — something feels different. If there is any good to come of this, it’s that the conversation about climate is changing.

5. Low-Cost Solar Power At Night

Dark solar is real! The Kauai Island Utility Co-op signed an agreement with SolarCity to purchase stored solar energy after the sun goes down. But here’s the best part: the 52 megawatt-hour battery system will provide power cheaper than the historical cost of fossil fuel.

4. Gov. Ige’s Determination That Liquefied Methane Doesn’t With Hawaii’s Clean Energy Future

Renewables yes, imported gas no. So said Gov. David Ige in August: “I have reached the conclusion that Hawaii does not need LNG in our future.” The Governor believes — as does Blue Planet — that our attention should be focused on building our 100 percent renewable energy system.

3. Proposed NextEra Acquisition Of Hawaiian Electric

Will NextEra take over? What are their plans? Can they achieve 100 percent renewable faster? What about solar power? Have we ever had more discussion about the future of Hawaii’s largest utility than we have in the past year? If nothing else, the proposed acquisition has made the future of the utility front and center.

2. Paris Climate Agreement And Pope Francis’ Encyclical

Can I get an Amen? First, Pope Francis, the leader of over 1 billion Catholics globally, came out with a rare and strongly worded statement urging bold action in addressing climate change. Then, for the first time in history, nearly 200 countries unanimously agreed to limit their greenhouse gas emissions in the Paris Climate Agreement. It’s an inflection point in the Earth’s response to climate change.

1. 100 Percent Renewable Energy Law

Hawaii is boldly leading the way on clean energy. Act 97, signed by Gov. Ige in June, makes Hawaii the first state in the nation with a 100 percent renewable energy requirement. The policy is already impacting the conversation globally, as other states and nations seek to adopt their own commitments to zero fossil fuel.

Runners-Up

• Keystone XL pipeline rejection. In November, President Obama rejected the proposed Keystone XL pipeline, stating “America is now a global leader when it comes to taking serious action to fight climate change, and frankly, approving this project would have undercut that leadership.”

• King Street cycle track. During the first full year of operation, the dedicated bike lane saw impressive increases in bicycle ridership — and concomitant decreases in street and sidewalk riding.

• University of Hawaii divestment. In May, after an impressive grassroots campaign, The UH Board of Regents has voted to divest the university’s $66 million endowment from fossil fuels, such as coal, oil and gas companies.

Here’s to 2016!