Frequently Asked Questions

Information on contractors specializing in distributed energy systems is available from various sources, including:

• Yellow pages under "solar" and "electric contractors" or on the web by searching for "solar contractors Hawaii."
• Newspaper ads
• Friends, relatives, and neighbors who have installed solar systems
• North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners (NABCEP), www.nabcep.org
• State of Hawaii Professional and Vocational Licensing (PVL) search -This search is designed to help the public obtain basic information about businesses and individuals that hold professional and vocational licenses issued by the State of Hawaii, http://pvl.ehawaii.gov/pvlsearch/app

Consult your tax professional. For background information:

• Database of State Incentives for Renewables & Efficiency (DSIRESOLARTM) www.dsireusa.org.
• Hawaii Department of Taxation, Taxpayer Services Branch
  Web Site: tax.hawaii.gov/; E-Mail: Taxpayer.Services@hawaii.gov; Phone: (808) 587-4242
• Your contractor may have incentives or financing opportunities.

No. Solar water heating systems use heat from the sun to heat water directly for your use. Certain manufacturers incorporate PV panels in the design of a water heating system but these systems do not interconnect with the grid and therefore the distributed energy resources programs do not apply.

However, solar water heaters are still an excellent energy efficiency measure that can save you a lot on your electric bill. In addition, purchase of a solar water heater may be eligible for a rebate. For more information on rebates available for solar water heaters and other energy efficiency measures, contact Hawaii Energy at hawaiienergy.com or (877) 231-8222.

Consult your tax advisor as each customer's circumstances are different.

The programs provide options for different kinds of customers. Please consult our website and your prospective contractors to help choose the best program to fit your needs.

There is no application or processing fee when using the Customer Interconnection Tool.

No. The PUC has declared NEM fully subscribed and closed it to new customers in October 2015. Current NEM agreements are still valid.

NEM Plus allows current NEM customers to add features such as energy storage to their rooftop solar systems – as long as the new equipment doesn't export power to the grid – without losing their current credits.

NEM Plus could be a cost-effective option for customers consistently paying for energy delivered to them, above the minimum bill or NEM customers making improvements such as adding rooms or split air conditioning, or an electric vehicle or two. NEM customers who already pay only the minimum bill through most or all the year would not benefit from NEM Plus.

The Hawaii Public Utilities Commission sets the requirements and limits per tariff as well as safety, performance, and reliability standards by order, tariff, or rule.

Per PUC Rule 14, which governs the interconnection of Distributed Energy Resources to the distribution grid, the timetable for the review process is as follows:

• 15 business says for the utility to review your application and confirm it is correct and complete
• 15 business days for the utility’s initial Technical Review to see if your system may impact the electric grid
• 20 business days for Supplemental Review, if required, to study any impacts in greater detail
• 150 calendar days for an Interconnection Requirement Study, if required, to determine if any equipment upgrades or other mitigation measures are needed to interconnect your system
• Customer Self Supply and Smart Export applications may be eligible for expedited review and approval.