Federal credit ended
The 30% federal residential clean energy credit (Section 25D) isn't allowed for expenditures made after December 31, 2025. The IRS treats an expenditure as made when installation is complete.
Source: IRSImportant Hawaiʻi Solar Tax Credit Update
Storm Preparedness
Locally owned solar, battery, and energy services since 1993
Since 1993, Alternate Energy Hawaii has helped local families and businesses lower electric bills, add battery storage, and build reliable energy systems designed for island life.
Powering Hawaii’s Future with Residential Solar and Sustainable Energy
For over 30 years, Alternate Energy has helped Hawaii families and businesses embrace sustainable energy solutions with solar, HVAC, roofing, EV charging, and more—all installed by our in-house team. From photovoltaic panels delivering clean electricity to advanced rooftop energy systems designed for residential solar projects, discover why we’re consistently voted Oahu’s best in solar, air conditioning, and plumbing.
We offer premium service combined with premium products designed to maximize solar efficiency and deliver reliable clean electricity. Whether you’re exploring residential solar or large-scale commercial solar projects, our tailored approach ensures you get the most value from your investment. With flexible solar financing options, achieving long-term savings and sustainability has never been easier.
Trusted by Local Families
At Alternate Energy, customer satisfaction is at the heart of everything we do. Read real stories from homeowners who trusted us for their solar, PV, and AC needs — and see the difference quality service, expert installation, and great value can make.
See all storiesOur Accreditations and Industry Partnerships
There's no single best solar company in Hawaii, because the right installer depends on your roof, your Hawaiian Electric rate and program, and your budget. Start with three checks: a Hawaii contractor license, a BBB profile you can read, and years of local installs you can ask about. Alternate Energy Hawaii has all three, so compare us with at least two others. Our guide to how to compare solar companies in Hawaii lists the questions to ask.
The 30% federal residential clean energy credit (Section 25D) isn't allowed for expenditures made after December 31, 2025. The IRS treats an expenditure as made when installation is complete.
Source: IRSAct 24 (SB 3125), signed May 21, 2026, puts a $40 million annual cap on Hawaii's Renewable Energy Technologies Income Tax Credit and ends the credit after the 2029 tax year.
Source: Act 24Executive Order 26-02 (signed June 8, 2026) and TIR 2026-02 explain the cap exemption. Systems placed in service before May 21, 2026 are exempt; others may qualify through certification.
Source: TIR 2026-02Hawaiian Electric's BYOD Plus pays $400 per kW of committed battery capacity upfront for new batteries paired with solar, plus $400 per kW for qualifying low- to moderate-income customers.
Source: Hawaiian ElectricEvery household's tax situation is different, so check your eligibility with a tax professional.
Proof you can verify
Hawaii contractor license C-26041. Look it up with the state’s professional and vocational licensing search.
Accredited since October 20, 2010.
Named a Tesla Premier Installer in December 2023.
168 reviews, as listed in August 2026.
According to AEI, we have installed over 59 MW of Mitsubishi Electric solar panels since 2011, powering 10,000 homes.
Hear from Oʻahu families who went solar with us.
We wanted to get our electricity from the sun, not the electric company. Jeff Lee was professional, straightforward, and still answered our questions months after the install. Our electric bill has gone way down, and we've been recommending AEI to all our friends.
The Lee FamilyFull reviewAs a former contractor, I appreciated that AEI focused on product quality, not just financing. Jeff Lum was informative and professional, and the installation went perfectly. With my condition, we rely on AC every day, so saving on our bill has made a real difference.
The Antonio FamilyFull reviewEven with the AC running all day and night, our electric bill went down. Roy was incredibly responsive. It didn't feel like talking to a sales rep, it felt like talking to family.
The Matsumoto FamilyFull reviewWe had a great experience with AEI. Dave Thompson helped us understand our options, the tax credits, and the whole installation process. We went with AEI because everything, panels and all, was Mitsubishi. We've already referred four friends.
The Benros FamilyFull reviewAEI made everything simple and easy to understand. Our monthly bill dropped, and I was so impressed I recommended them to my parents. We're already planning to add more panels.
The Adams FamilyFull reviewOur electric bill dropped, even after adding two AC units. Thanks to AEI and Roy's help, we finally had the freedom to enjoy things like paddle boarding as a family.
The Vaeena FamilyFull reviewEvery recommendation starts with your roof, your Hawaiian Electric account and what you want the system to do.
Hawaii contractor license C-26041, BBB accredited with an A+ rating, and certified by the manufacturers whose equipment we install.
Read our BBB profile →







Tell us about your home or business, your electric bill and whether you want battery backup. We'll recommend a system for your roof and give you a written estimate.
Our own crews handle every part of the job, so solar, batteries, roofing, electrical and AC are planned together instead of by separate contractors.
Mitsubishi Electric panels, system sizing and inverter choices for your roof.
Learn more →Keep essential circuits running in an outage, and see whether BYOD Plus fits.
Learn more →Powerwall installs from a Tesla Premier Installer.
Learn more →Cut the cost of hot water with a system built for Hawaii.
Learn more →Mitsubishi split ductless AC, installed by our own team.
Learn more →CertainTeed 5-Star installer, so the roof is ready before the panels go up.
Learn more →Licensed electricians for panel upgrades, repairs and home EV chargers.
Learn more →Solar and storage for Oʻahu offices, shops and other business roofs.
Learn more →Built for Hawaii Since 1993
AEI brings solar, battery storage, roofing, electrical, AC, and EV charging together under one local team, so your energy project can be planned around Hawaii utility rates, HECO requirements, roof readiness, and long-term island support.
Solar, batteries, roofing, electrical, AC, and EV charging work together. AEI helps homeowners and businesses avoid disconnected decisions by planning the whole energy system.
Battery backup and energy independence planning help Hawaii families decide what should stay powered when the grid is down, from refrigeration and lighting to critical home circuits.
After installation, local support matters. AEI helps customers understand monitoring, maintenance, battery settings, and next steps if equipment needs attention.
Solar incentives, tax credits, HECO programs, and financing options can change. AEI helps customers compare practical paths before committing to a system design.
Buyer Confidence
AEI provides local support for system questions, monitoring concerns, maintenance direction, and future upgrades. A solar project should not end when the panels turn on, especially in Hawaii where batteries, HECO programs, and utility rules can affect long-term performance.
Monitoring interruptions can come from internet changes, equipment communication issues, or inverter/battery settings. AEI customers can contact support so the team can help identify whether the issue is connectivity, settings, or equipment that needs service.
A solar-ready roof should have enough remaining life, clear usable space, and a structure suited for the proposed system. AEI can evaluate roof readiness and connect solar planning with roofing and electrical considerations before installation.
Battery timing depends on outage concerns, budget, HECO program availability, and how much backup power you want. Some homes benefit from designing solar and battery together, while others may plan battery readiness for a future phase.
A local installer understands island weather, utility requirements, roof conditions, permitting timelines, and local support expectations. Those details matter when comparing a Hawaii-based energy team with a national sales-first provider.
Solar projects typically require design review, permitting, utility coordination, and inspection before final operation. Timelines can vary by project and program, so customers should ask each installer how they manage permitting and HECO interconnection steps.