Solar Incentives in Hawaii
Hawai‘i stands at the forefront of America’s solar movement, driven by some of the nation’s highest energy costs and ambitious renewable energy targets. While the original Net Energy Metering (NEM) program has closed, four successor initiatives — including NEM Plus — continue to empower residents and businesses to adopt solar and maximize clean energy benefits.
Hawaii is the Nation's Leader in Solar Solutions
Between 2005 and 2016, Hawai‘i became one of the fastest-growing solar markets in the United States, as demand for both residential and commercial panels surged. The growth was unlike anything the islands had seen before, reshaping the state’s energy landscape.
Several factors fueled this boom: Hawai‘i’s notoriously high electricity costs, rapidly declining solar technology prices, and the islands’ favorable year-round weather. Just as important, state policy set the stage for long-term transformation. Hawai‘i’s Renewable Portfolio Standard pushed utilities and homeowners alike to embrace solar, with ambitious goals of 40% renewable energy by 2030 and 100% by 2045. Together, these conditions propelled Hawai‘i to the forefront of America’s renewable energy revolution and solidified its reputation as a clean energy leader.
Net Energy Metering (NEM): Hawai‘i’s First Big Solar Incentive
In 2001, Hawai‘i introduced Net Energy Metering (NEM), an incentive program that allowed solar customers to receive credits for sending excess electricity back to the grid. The initiative was a major success, sparking the rapid growth of Hawai‘i’s solar industry and making solar adoption more accessible for homeowners and businesses.
Although NEM is now closed to new applicants, it remains available to customers who submitted applications before October 13, 2015. If you have a pending application, you may still be eligible to participate. To confirm your status and complete the process, please contact us at 808.842.5853, where a representative will guide you step by step.
Available Solar Programs for Customers
Designed for customers who prefer not to export excess energy back to the grid. With this program, all solar power generated is used on-site, making it a good fit for homes or businesses with battery storage.
This option integrates grid-support technology to enhance system reliability and ensure grid stability. Customers can export energy while helping maintain a resilient power network.
With Smart Export, customers can send excess solar energy to the grid during evening and early morning hours (4 p.m. – 9 a.m.), when demand is typically higher, and receive credits in return.
Exclusively for current Net Energy Metering (NEM) participants, NEM+ allows the addition of non-export capacity — such as rooftop panels paired with storage — without affecting their original NEM status.
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