Sopogy Inc., a Honolulu-based maker of solar energy systems, has completed installation of a solar air-conditioning system atop a utility research center in Downey, Calif.

The solar collectors, in combination with absorption chillers, can produce enough air conditioning to cool three average-sized houses, Sopogy said. The system has been installed on a rooftop at the Southern California Gas Co.'s Energy Research Center.

"It isn't obvious that solar thermal energy can be used to create air conditioning, but the efficiencies in doing so are incredible and the system displaces the burning of a significant amount of fossil fuels," said Darren Kimura, Sopogy chief executive officer.

TAX-RETURN PREPARER GETS PROBATION

Honolulu tax-return preparer Daven Temple was sentenced July 13 by Judge Leslie Hayashi for failing to file her general excise tax returns from 2002 to 2006.

Hayashi granted Temple a deferral of her guilty plea and placed her on probation for a year. Hayashi also ordered Temple to pay restitution of $29,015, a $5,000 fine and $550 in court fees and remain compliant with taxes throughout the deferral period.

Temple also claimed responsibility for failing to file her husband's excise tax returns for the same years and pleaded guilty to all 10 counts.

Failing to file a tax return is a misdemeanor violation punishable by a fine of up to $25,000 per violation, one year in jail or probation.

MARKET SURGE LIFTS MOST HAWAI'I STOCKS

Shares of many of Hawai'i's publicly traded companies rose as the Dow Jones industrial average closed above the 9,000 level for the first time since January.

Alexander & Baldwin rose 4.3 percent to $28.94, while Bank of Hawaii increased by 3.1 percent to $35.40.

Central Pacific Financial rose to $2.02 a share, a 5.2 percent increase.

Other stocks showing gains included Cyanotech Corp., Territorial Bancorp, Maui Land & Pineapple and Hawaiian Electric Industries.

Hoku Scientific fell slightly, losing about 2 percent to $1.97 a share.