Customer Renewable Programs

Emails to Contractors

If you have any questions, please contact us at (808) 543-4760 or connect@hawaiianelectric.com.

Helpful tips for going from Interim to Smart DER program (April 12, 2024)

Hawaiian Electric is providing further clarification regarding technical requirements for customers enrolled in an interim solar program who want to either replace equipment under their existing program or add capacity when transitioning to Smart Renewable Energy, also known as Smart DER. Customers enrolling in Smart Renewable Energy can choose either an export rider (SDE) or non-export rider (SDN). Note, all customers participating in SDE or SDN will be required to have an advanced meter. The table below describes various scenarios that would apply to customers based on their program.

Customers who want to opt-in to SDE or SDN programs early will need to submit a Program Transition Form and submit an amendment (AMD) for SDE or SDN in the Customer Interconnection Tool. https://pages.hawaiianelectric.com/smart-transition

Existing Interim Program Replace Equipment within 1 kW (0.1 kW for Hawaii Island) Transition to Smart Renewable Energy Adding Capacity and Converting to SDE Adding Capacity and Converting to SDN
CGS Existing equip okay - remain on CGS (new equip on qualified list) SDE - automatic Existing equip okay - new equip SDE compliant Old and new equip SDN compliant - apply for SDN
CGS+ Existing equip okay - remain on CGS+ (new equip on qualified list) SDE - automatic Existing equip okay - new equip SDE compliant Old and new equip SDN compliant - apply for SDN
Smart Export Existing equip okay - remain on Smart Export (new equip on qualified list) SDE - automatic Existing equip okay - new equip SDE compliant Old and new equip SDN compliant - apply for SDN
CSS Existing equip okay - remain on CSS (new equip on qualified list) SDN - optional Old and new equip SDE compliant - apply for SDE Existing equip okay - new equip SDN compliant
SIA Existing equip okay - remain on SIA (new equip on qualified list) SDN - optional Old and new equip SDE compliant - apply for SDE Existing equip okay - new equip SDN compliant

The Smart Renewable Energy export rates and other information about the new programs are available at hawaiianelectric.com/smartprograms.

Hawaiian Electric's Contractor Information Session #2 on March 22 (March 13, 2024)

Hawaiian Electric will be holding the Contractor Information Session #2: Changes to Customer Interconnection Tool Overview & New Programs Golive Date

Session Date

Friday, March 22, 1:00-3:00pm

In-Person Location

American Savings Bank
3rd Floor Training Room
1001 Bishop Street
Honolulu, HI 96816

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Reminder: Interim Program Closure (March 11, 2024)

As you may be aware, the Hawaii Public Utilities Commission ordered current interim programs (including Customer Grid Supply Plus, Customer Grid Supply, Customer Self Supply, SIA, and Smart Export) to close on March 31, 2024 to make way for our new Smart DER and Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) programs starting April 1, 2024. As we have done in the past when new programs are launched in the Customer Interconnection Tool (CIT), we will need to take CIT offline during the weekend of March 30 and 31 to have the new programs ready for enrollment in CIT by Monday, April 1. Therefore, please be advised that applications for interim programs must be submitted in CIT by 11:59 pm on Friday, March 29, 2024. SIA applications, which are submitted outside of CIT, can be submitted up to 11:59 pm Sunday, March 31, 2024.

Please note the following key dates and requirements:

  • Interim program applications must be submitted by Friday, March 29, 2024 at 11:59 PM.
  • SIA applications only can be submitted via email by Sunday, March 31, 2024 at 11:59 PM.
  • Interim program applications that are in Initiated status (meaning it has been started in CIT, but not yet submitted to Hawaiian Electric) will be voided on Sunday, March 31, 2024 and further action on those applications will not be permitted.
  • Amendments to executed interim program agreements will still be accepted after March 29, 2024 for any equipment replacements and battery additions. Such amendments will be accepted provided the size of the new system remains within 1 kW of the original program size for Oahu and Maui County and 0.1 kW for Hawaii Island.
  • Interim program applications that were submitted before March 29, 2024 but require corrections can be resubmitted up until June 30, 2024. For example, a Customer Grid Supply Plus application is submitted on March 11 and is subsequently returned for corrections. Hawaiian Electric will accept the corrected CGS Plus application until June 30, 2024.

For more information on the Smart DER and BYOD programs, please visit our website.

Update to Hawaii Island Drawing Requirements (January 30, 2024)

In an effort to align with recently enacted Hawaii County Ordinance 2388, Hawaiian Electric will no longer require an engineer-stamped drawing for residential photovoltaic (PV) installations with a program size of 10 kilowatts (kW) or less for Hawaii County. Non-residential and residential installations greater than 10 kW will still require an engineer stamped drawing by the time of project validation (closeout). Previously, an engineer-stamped drawing was required for all PV installations in Hawaii County.

Engineer-stamped drawings with signature for PV installations of program size 30 kW and greater are still required for Oahu and Maui County.

This change is effective immediately.

Please join us at our upcoming workshops! (January 18, 2024)

Please join us in-person or virtually at one of our upcoming workshops to explain Hawaiian Electric’s new Smart Renewable Energy programs launching on April 1, 2024. The workshops will cover Smart DER, Bring Your Own Device (BYOD), what the new programs mean for customers, and relevant Customer Interconnection Tool (CIT) updates.

Contractor Information Session #1: New Programs Overview
View a recording of the session | Presentation slides (PDF)

When:

  • Thursday February 15, 2024, 1:00pm - 3:00pm

Where:

  • In Person: American Savings Bank (1001 Bishop St), 3rd Floor Training Room
  • Virtual: Microsoft Teams (link to be emailed upon registration)

What will be covered:

  • Smart DER & BYOD Overview
  • Eligibility & Benefits
  • Time-Of-Use (TOU) Overview
  • Tariff & Process Updates
  • Timeline
  • FAQ / Open Q&A

Contractor Information Session #2: CIT Updates

Our apologies for the late notice but we need to postpone the CIT workshop that is scheduled for Wednesday 2/21 from 1:00-3:00pm. We will notify you again as soon as we have a rescheduled date.

Please feel free to reach out if you have any questions in the meantime.

Mahalo,
Customer Energy Resources Team

Oahu Battery Bonus Extended (December 27, 2023)

On Dec. 20, 2023, the Hawaii Public Utilities Commission issued an order extending the enrollment period for the Battery Bonus incentive program on Oahu. According to the order, customers who submit a Battery Bonus application by Dec. 31, 2023, that is later confirmed to be a complete application, will be considered eligible for the program. If an application submitted by the deadline is deemed incomplete during the review process, customers will have until Feb. 29, 2024, to correct any outstanding issues with the application.

Enrollment in Battery Bonus on Oahu was originally intended to close when the program reached a 40-megawatt capacity limit, which occurred on Dec. 12, 2023. Despite hitting the limit, however, the PUC said it would allow the enrollment period to be extended to allow for a “smoother, more orderly conclusion” to the program. The PUC’s decision does not affect the deadline for Battery Bonus enrollment on Maui, which is June 30, 2024, or until a cap of 15 megawatts is reached.

Important Update Regarding the Battery Bonus Energy Storage Incentive Program (December 14, 2023)

Battery Bonus has reached its maximum capacity of 40 megawatts on Oahu, and no new applications are being processed at this time for the island. Hawaiian Electric has published a news release with more details, including information about the new “Bring Your Own Device” grid services incentive program that will be available to customers starting March 1, 2024.

Battery Bonus Capacity Status (November 22, 2023)

As of 11/20/23, the Battery Bonus program was at 35.81 megawatts (MW) out of the maximum capacity of 40 MW for Oahu. Once the cap is reached, no new applications will be accepted. Hawaiian Electric will notify customers and their contractors when the 40 MW cap is reached. Battery Bonus will be replaced by a new grid services incentive program called Bring Your Own Device, which starts March 1, 2024.

Important Update Regarding Applications in the Lahaina area (November 17, 2023)

Although electric service has been restored to nearly all Hawaiian Electric customers whose service can be restored in Lahaina and the surrounding area, one circuit affected by the Aug. 8 wildfires remains unavailable for interconnection of distributed energy resources (DERs), such as customer-sited solar and energy storage devices. The affected circuit covers an area that includes Lahainaluna and most of Lahaina from Lahainaluna Road north to the Civic Center. To ensure the stability of the grid and the safety of all customers, Hawaiian Electric is delaying the interconnection of DERs on the affected circuit, including new and active applications until the issues are resolved and the circuit is safe for interconnection, which Hawaiian Electric currently estimates could take 8 to 10 weeks.

Hawaiian Electric appreciates customers’ continued patience and understanding as we work to resolve these interconnection and safety issues. If you have any questions, please contact us at connect@hawaiianelectric.com. Mahalo for your understanding as we continue to help support Maui recover and rebuild.

More Information Regarding Maui Island Applications (October 2, 2023)

In the wake of the devastating wildfires on Maui, Hawaiian Electric is reviewing pending customer applications for the company’s rooftop solar and Battery Bonus programs in West Maui.

For customers who have been affected by the wildfires, please know that our hearts go out to you during this difficult time.

For customers who are still in the application queue, Hawaiian Electric is in the process of determining whether the circuits in West Maui servicing these properties can support customer-sited solar and storage at this time.

To help customers and their contractors better understand the process, Hawaiian Electric would like to share the following information:

  • As a starting point, Hawaiian Electric is utilizing a County of Maui provided map to determine which homes and businesses in the Lahaina Restricted Zones have been inspected by County officials and what is the current condition of each property.
  • For a property the County has designated as undamaged, Hawaiian Electric then determines the status of the current circuit serving that property. Interconnection of solar and battery systems will be allowed only on circuits that can safely support distributed energy resources.
  • Interconnection on certain circuits in the West Maui area may take additional time to review and may result in not being able to connect to the grid at this time since some circuits in the area are currently being powered by the temporary mobile substations and the electrical system is still in the process of being restored and rebuilt.
  • While most customers outside the Lahaina Restricted Zone are not impacted, Hawaiian Electric must still check the condition of the customer’s circuit before customers can proceed with their applications.
  • Hawaiian Electric will contact customers individually to inform them of next steps with their applications.

If you have any questions, please contact us at connect@hawaiianelectric.com. Mahalo for your understanding as we continue to help support Maui recover and rebuild.

Important Update regarding Maui Island Applications (August 18, 2023)

As Hawaiian Electric continues to assess the scope of damage from the wildfires on Maui, the company has decided to temporarily suspend processing solar interconnection applications in the Lahaina area. To ensure Hawaiian Electric is treating customers with utmost respect and aloha, the company will hold off further processing of all applications and most automatically generated emails to customers in the Lahaina zip code until it can be determined which existing applications need to move forward or be cancelled.

Hawaiian Electric will work with contractors to determine the status of the affected applications, which include the installation of solar and/or battery storage systems. Hawaiian Electric would like to thank its customers and other stakeholders for their patience as the company works to repair damaged infrastructure and restore power to affected areas on Maui.

If you have any questions, please contact us at connect@hawaiianelectric.com.

Important Update - Smart DER and BYOD (July 12, 2023)

The Public Utilities Commission has issued an updated schedule for the launch of two new Hawaiian Electric customer energy resource programs: “Smart DER” and “Bring-Your-Own-Device” (BYOD). The PUC’s order, issued July 7, includes a timetable for program milestones going forward.

Key milestones include:

  • Closing Battery Bonus on Oahu to new customers once enrollment hits 40 megawatts or Oct. 31, 2023, whichever comes first. (Note: on Maui, Battery Bonus will remain open to new customers until enrolled capacity reaches 15 megawatts or until June 30, 2024, whichever comes first.)
  • Making the Smart DER and BYOD tariffs available to customers starting Nov. 1, 2023.
  • Closing interim DER and Standard Interconnection Agreement tariffs on Jan. 31, 2024.

Smart DER will replace several “interim” rooftop solar programs with a simpler, single interconnection tariff with two riders, export and non-export. BYOD is a new grid services incentive program that will replace Battery Bonus. Residential customers enrolled in Battery Bonus must submit final validation and verification documents to Hawaiian Electric by May 10, 2024 to receive the upfront cash incentive.

Final details around export rates and incentives for the new tariffs are still being determined. The PUC said it plans to issue an order on these remaining issues in September or October 2023.

If you have any questions, please contact us at connect@hawaiianelectric.com.

Update to Battery Bonus Seven-Day Verification File (May 23, 2023)

Battery Bonus has a new seven-day verification file that is available for use now. No changes have been made to the format, but cells have been locked to help the verification process move more smoothly. We request that all new submittals after June 1, 2023 use the new file. Please do not tamper with file. Please email us at batterybonus@hawaiianelectric.com if you require additional training or have any questions.

Also, for those that do not receive a completeness review approval email with the start time, please use the conditional approval email. If a time is not given in either email, please use start time 6:07 p.m. for Oahu and 6:06 p.m. for Maui.

If you have any questions, please contact us at 543-4760 or batterybonus@hawaiianelectric.com.

Update to Qualified Inverter List (January 25, 2023)

This is a reminder that Hawaiian Electric will be changing our list of qualified inverters on February 1, 2023. This will only affect NEW applications submitted through our online Customer Interconnection Tool and any REVISIONS or CORRECTIONS to existing applications where a change in inverters is required. All other existing applications and executed agreements will be unaffected by this change.

What:

Starting on February 1, 2023, all new applications for any Customer Energy Resource program will need to have equipment certified to the latest version of IEEE 1547-2018, IEEE Standard for Interconnection and Interoperability of Distributed Energy Resources with Associated Electric Power Systems Interfaces.

Why:

The last version of IEEE 1547 was published in 2003. During the past 17 years, our needs in Hawaii have exceeded what IEEE 1547 has provided for the interactivity of customer energy resources with the grid. We have made iterative changes in inverter requirements that have enabled us to continue interconnecting customer resources, but the IEEE standard remained largely unchanged until 2018. This latest version of IEEE 1547-2018 recognizes the advancements made in inverter technology and will allow the continued interconnection of new systems certified to this standard and help prepare systems for the future of solar in Hawaii.

How:

We have spent the past 8 months working intensively with inverter manufacturers, statewide customer energy resource stakeholders, and the Interstate Renewable Energy Council to harmonize our requirements with the latest IEEE standard and reduce the risk of any inverter market disruption. Once we officially start requiring only systems certified to this new standard on February 1, 2023, we will update our Qualified Equipment List online and the list seen in the Customer Interconnection Tool in a seamless transition.

In the meantime, stay tuned for more updates from inverter manufacturers and Hawaiian Electric as we see new products released that are certified to the latest IEEE standard for inverters. Inverters that have already been certified to the new standard are regularly updated on the Qualified Equipment List. Please check the list for the currently available inverters for applications using the new standard.

If you have any questions, please contact us at connect@hawaiianelectric.com.

Update to CER's New Homeowner Policy (October 25, 2022)

Effective October 25, 2022, Hawaiian Electric will no longer require buyers of properties with a rooftop solar system to file a change of ownership agreement with the company. Under revisions to Rule 14H approved by the Public Utilities Commission (PUC) the new owner of a rooftop solar system shall automatically assume the prior customer-generator’s benefits and responsibilities of the system under the existing interconnection agreement.

In approving the rule change, the PUC acknowledged that eliminating the change of ownership requirement will streamline the transition process when a property with a rooftop solar system is sold. The PUC noted that buyers will still be made aware of the existence of a rooftop solar system on the property because sellers must provide that information in a standard disclosure form required by the Hawaii Association of Realtors.

If you have any questions, please contact us at connect@hawaiianelectric.com.

Important Update Regarding Quick Connect (September 14, 2022)

After significantly improving interconnection times for customers with solar PV systems, Hawaiian Electric is announcing that it will discontinue its Quick Connect program effective October 14, 2022. Quick Connect was launched by Hawaiian Electric in January 2021 as a pilot during the COVID-19 pandemic in an effort to accelerate the process for energizing PV systems.

Quick Connect served its purpose, giving customers relief to get systems energized quickly while Hawaiian Electric worked on a permanent solution. Customers are now able to still interconnect quickly using Hawaiian Electric’s early energization option. The process allows customers to energize their systems after receiving conditional approval, closing their building permit, and activating volt-watt settings on inverters.

With the new early energization process in place, few contractors are utilizing Quick Connect. Closing the program will allow Hawaiian Electric to optimize resources devoted to Quick Connect to processing regular interconnection applications.

If you have any questions, please contact us at connect@hawaiianelectric.com.

Battery Bonus Update - W9 e-signature option (August 30, 2022)

Hawaiian Electric has added an electronic signature option to make it easier for customers to submit W9 forms with their Battery Bonus applications.

For customers choosing the e-sign option Hawaiian Electric will send them an email with a link that will walk them through the e-sign process. Hawaiian Electric is utilizing the DocuSign platform for the e-sign option. Completed W9 forms include name, address, individual checked, social security number, signed, and dated.

Because not all customers may feel comfortable submitting their W9 forms using e-sign, Hawaiian Electric will continue to accept hard copies of the W9 forms. The forms can be printed out, signed and mailed to: Hawaiian Electric, P.0. Box 2750, Honolulu, HI 96840, Attn: AT10-SG.

With either e-sign or hard copies the signer of W9 must be the battery owner (only one person).

More information and updates: hawaiianelectric.com/batterybonus.

If you have any questions, please contact us at connect@hawaiianelectric.com.

Battery Bonus Application Update for Maui (August 9, 2022)

We are pleased to announce that we have worked out a solution with Maui County permitting authorities to process applications for our Battery Bonus program. Contractors seeking a building permit on behalf of customers for a Battery Bonus project can now submit a completed Hawaiian Electric Grant of Authority form to Maui County to obtain a building permit number. Once contractors have secured a building permit number they can use it to submit the project for conditional approval through Hawaiian Electric’s online Customer Interconnection Tool (CIT).

More information and updates: hawaiianelectric.com/batterybonus.

If you have any questions, please contact us at connect@hawaiianelectric.com.

Important CER Updates and Tips (November 19, 2021)

Enabling Volt-Watt for faster energization

On November 4, 2021, the Hawaii Public Utilities Commission approved the use of Volt-Watt for all PV rooftop system inverters. This advanced inverter function in Hawaii has been studied extensively for many years by the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL). Many customers have already chosen to opt-in since 2020 to benefit from early energization. Enabling Volt-Watt not only provides grid benefits for all customers, but allows for more interconnections on the grid, directly supporting Hawaiian Electric’s Climate Change Action Plan to lower carbon emissions 70% by 2030.

Although customers are currently installing systems and choosing to energize more quickly by enabling Volt-Watt today, to ensure a smooth transition for this new requirement, Hawaiian Electric will allow projects to be installed without Volt-Watt activated until January 1, 2022. Any project validation received in 2022 must indicate that Volt-Watt is enabled or it will not be accepted.

We recommend that you consult your Inverter Manufacturer for instructions on how to enable Volt-Watt.

Changes to the Battery Bonus Amendment for quicker processing

  1. For the Battery Bonus program, we’ve seen customer generator names differ from the owner-operator name on the amendment, which can cause a delay in processing. Minor updates to the amendment should help clarify filling out our forms. Please verify the owner-operator name on the amendment is the same as the federal tax form W9 submitted to Hawaiian Electric.
  2. Customers who wish to participate in the Battery Bonus Program are required to have an existing executed DER agreement. However, they may apply for the underlying DER program either prior to or in parallel with their Battery Bonus submission.
  3. If the customer will be using the same equipment for their new underlying DER Agreement and their Battery Bonus submission (i.e. there is no unique equipment for the Battery bonus application), please do the following:
    • Include a note on page 1 of the EDRP Amendment form, indicating that the Battery Bonus submission is using the same equipment as the pending DER application.
    • Fill out the full system equipment on the EDRP Amendment form, and include a single line electrical drawing.
    • Include a note in the DER application’s energy storage description of operations that the battery is intended for Battery Bonus participation.
  4. If a customer has both a NEM and NEM Plus agreement, it is possible to transfer some or all of the NEM Plus equipment to the NEM, via the EDRP Amendment. Please keep in mind the following:
    • The Battery Bonus program allows for the addition of up to 5kW of PV generation to the NEM agreement. Transfers in excess of that amount will invalidate the NEM agreement.
    • The NEM Plus agreement will need to be withdrawn or amended, as appropriate to the equipment being transferred.
    • If the NEM Plus agreement was executed prior to July 1, 2021, any energy storage listed on the NEM Plus agreement is ineligible for participation in the Battery Bonus program.

Completed Meter Replacement List (August 6, 2021)

We are happy to announce that we have started posting completed meter replacements on our website. You can view the list by visiting our Especially for Contractors page.

As a reminder, the list will contain only the customer’s service address and date the meter replacement was successfully completed, starting with meter replacements completed during the last week of July. The customers’ address and meter replacement date will be posted for four weeks from the date the meter was replaced, after which the information will be removed from the site.

In certain cases, customers who have the appropriate meter installed may not appear on the published list. Therefore, if you cannot find your customer list on the list, we encourage you to contact us at connect@hawaiianelectric.com so we can help confirm the customer’s meter status.

Battery Bonus Incentive Program for PV Customers (July 19, 2021)

Hawaiian Electric is accepting applications for Battery Bonus, a program that will pay a cash incentive for residential and commercial customers on Oahu to add energy storage to an existing or new rooftop solar system.

This one-time incentive will help move Hawaii toward our goal of 100% clean energy by 2045 and add more renewable resources to the grid in the short-term when the AES coal-fired plant is retired in September 2022.

Battery Bonus projects are eligible for Quick Connect installations and QCT is the recommended path forward; terms and conditions may be found at our Private Rooftop Solar page. If you plan on installing a project capable of exporting more than 5 kilowatts at night, or if you choose not to use Quick Connect, please email a completed Scheduled Dispatch Program (SDP) Amendment to Existing Agreement to connect@hawaiianelectric.com to begin the application process.

All Battery Bonus projects at validation require that the installer submit the SDP Amendment to Existing Agreement form and enable Volt-Watt inverter functionality for the life of the project regardless of choosing the Quick Connect path or not.

Securing a building permit from the City & County Department of Planning and Permitting or proof of permit application is required as part of the application and will determine the final incentive amount. For an explanation of the program and a Q&A, please click here. We will have an online session to explain the program on Wednesday, July 28 from 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. If you wish to attend, please send an email to connect@hawaiianelectric.com. For more information or updates, see hawaiianelectric.com/batterybonus.

Reminder: New Grant of Authority form (June 21, 2021)

This is a reminder to start using the new Grant of Authority form if you haven’t already done so. Beginning July 1, applications that are submitted with previous versions of the form will not be accepted. The new Grant of Authority form is a critical part of our effort to facilitate early energization by publishing a list of completed meter replacements.

Meter Replacement Notice for DER Customers (May 21, 2021)

We are happy to announce a new feature to improve service to customers and facilitate early energization for rooftop PV systems. Based on solar community feedback, we have been working to determine the best way to inform solar installers when meter replacements are completed for customers ready to energize their systems. In August, we will begin publishing a list of completed revenue meter replacements for our rooftop PV customers.

To make this work, we ask that you start using the updated Grant of Authority form found on our website as soon as possible. Beginning July 1, applications using previous versions of the form will not be accepted. The additional bullet to the updated Grant of Authority about the customer’s information will facilitate this process and will make it transparent to our rooftop PV customers.

During the first week of August, the list of completed meter replacements will be posted on the Especially for Contractors page on our website. The list will include the customer’s service address and date the revenue meter replacement was completed; production meters and meter service upgrades will not be listed. In certain cases, a customer’s address may not appear on the list, despite the meter replacement being completed. If you cannot find a customer’s address on the list, please contact us at connect@hawaiianelectric.com to verify the status of the customer’s meter replacement. Important dates regarding this transition are provided in the table below:

June 30, 2021 Last day to use previous versions of Grant of Authority form. Starting July 1, all application submittals must use the latest Grant of Authority that includes permission to post meter completion information on website.
Early July Notification email will be sent to pending CIT customers (who submitted their application previous to the new Grant of Authorization form) informing them of the upcoming publication of their meter completion information. These customers have the option to opt out by emailing connect within 30 days of email.
Early August The first list of meter replacement completions will be posted, starting with meter replacements completed the last week of July.

The list will be updated once a week and customer’s address will remain on the list for four weeks, after which it will be removed. We recommend you check the list regularly.

Deadline Update - Changes to the Qualified Inverter List (May 10, 2021)

After careful consideration and discussion with members of the inverter manufacturing industry, Hawaiian Electric has decided to push back the mandatory certification deadline for new interconnection applications with inverters certified to IEEE 1547-2018 using UL 1741 Supplement SB with the Hawaiian Electric Source Requirements Document version 2.0 (SRD 1547-2018 V2.0) from January 1, 2022 to April 1, 2022. Please be advised the sunset date for inverter manufacturers to certify legacy model inverters to IEEE 1547-2003 (including IEEE 1547a-2014) using UL 1741 Supplement SA (SRD V1.1) will remain unchanged. That sunset date is June 30, 2021.

How does the change in the DER system certification deadline from January 1, 2022 to April 1, 2022 affect my suppliers and existing projects?

There will be no impact to any of your existing project applications conditionally approved by Hawaiian Electric up to the April 1, 2022 certification deadline. The three-month delay will afford your suppliers more time to switch-over to the latest models that can meet the current standard (IEEE 1547-2018 V2.0). We believe that this additional time will ensure a smoother transition for our customers while manufacturers certify their newer models to the current national standard.

What happens to the existing qualified DER system equipment list after the June 30, 2021 sunset date?

After June 30, 2021, no legacy models will be added to the Company’s qualified DER system equipment list. All manufacturers and equipment suppliers currently supplying the Hawaii market have been made aware by Hawaiian Electric of this new national standard. In fact, most, if not all of the manufacturers who supply Hawaii’s market were involved in developing this new national standard and a majority approved this standard in 2018 during the formal ballot process. Therefore, we do not expect that manufacturers will be listing models in the remaining time between now and the June 30, 2021 sunset date.

Reminder - Changes to the Qualified Inverter List (February 3, 2021)

As a follow up to our notice sent in August 2020, we'd like to remind you of the upcoming changes to our list of qualified inverters.

Although the changes will be in full effect starting January 1, 2022, a key date to prepare for is July 1, 2021. Starting in July 2021, new equipment that is SRD 1.1 certified will no longer be added to the list of qualified inverters. Only SRD V2.0 will be accepted after July 1, 2021. Existing SRD 1.1 certified equipment that is listed prior to July 1, 2021 will continue to be listed and approved for installation until the January 1, 2022 sunset date. Please have your inverter manufacturers read our test requirements on our website. We recommend that you take this time to take appropriate action to ensure this change does not adversely affect your scheduled or future installations.

As a reminder, all new applications for any Customer Energy Resources program will need to have equipment certified to the latest version of IEEE 1547-2018, IEEE Standard for Interconnection and Interoperability of Distributed Energy Resources with Associated Electric Power Systems Interfaces beginning January 1, 2022.

This latest version of IEEE 1547-2018 recognizes the advancements made in inverter technology and will allow the continued interconnection of new systems certified to this standard and help prepare systems for the future of solar in Hawaii.

Stay tuned for more updates from inverter manufacturers and Hawaiian Electric as we see new products released that are certified to the latest IEEE standard for inverters.

DER Policies Status Update Filing Summary (January 8, 2021)

We want to share with you a summary of our recent filing with the Public Utilities Commission, updating process changes made this past year. We are proposing continuing changes that received positive feedback, including continuing to allow early energization, early revenue-meter replacements, and requirement changes to the CGS+ production meter socket. We will continue to monitor all changes and make adjustments in the future if needed.

Here is a brief summary of the updates. For a copy of the full letter, please click here.

Early Energization of Systems Less Than 25kW With Closed Building Permits and Volt-Watt Activated

  • Original implementation date and deadline: May 11, 2020; 6-month trial period
  • Description: Systems smaller than 25kW can be turned on upon installation; provided that applicable building permits are closed, Volt-Watt function is activated, and appropriate meter is installed. This allows customers to receive benefits from their PV system as quickly as possible.
  • Changes since original implementation: Instead of requiring a fully closed building permit, the Company will now accept proof of completion of the electrical inspection only.
  • Deadline extension: Proposed extension of additional 6 months

Early Revenue Meter Replacements

  • Original implementation date and deadline: May 11, 2020; permanent change
  • Description: Revenue meter replacements will be initiated at conditional approval, upon contractor request via priority list, or prior to validation processing. By accelerating the meter replacement step, we support the early energization process and avoid potential execution delays.
  • Changes since original implementation: No changes have been made, but we continue to explore improvements to the process.
  • Deadline extension: Not applicable

Use of Temporary Non-Utility Meters in Production Meter Socket

  • Original implementation date and deadline: May 11, 2020; 6-month trial
  • Description: Contractors can install and leave a temporary meter or jumper socket cover in the production meter socket to complete validation requirements. Hawaiian Electric meter technicians will then remove the temporary meter or jumper cover and install a permanent utility meter, leaving the temporary meter on the premise for retrieval by the contractor. The purpose is to help simplify the process for contractors and minimize on-site visits. Contractors were to also submit a waiver form.
  • Changes since original implementation: Oahu customers must now install a jumper socket cover for the production meter socket as utility production meters will not be installed until smart meters become more widely available. Click here for more information.
  • Deadline extension: The change mentioned above for Oahu customers will continue until smart meters become available.

Residential Service Upgrade Process Improvement

  • Original implementation date and deadline: June 15, 2020; permanent short-term change while also working on mid-term improvements
  • Description: Teams working on service upgrade requests will identify and track requests made for PV projects and will commit to reducing the lead time for the Costs and Requirements Letter to two to three weeks, and execution work to one to three weeks for conditionally approved customers who require overhead upgrades. This is part of an effort to simplify and reduce the overall process time for service upgrades.
  • Changes since original implementation: In addition to placing more focus on service requests for PV customers with overhead upgrades, we are now accepting Priority Lists to address projects that require expedited attention, regardless of their PV application status. We will continue to explore improvements to this process until broader mid-term improvements are implemented.
  • Deadline extension: Not applicable

Plan to Rapidly Expand Interconnections - Quick Connect (Pre-Approval) Program

  • Original implementation date and deadline: January 2021; 12-month trial
  • Description: Customers on circuits with 30% or more Hosting Capacity available are pre-approved to install a rooftop PV system 25kW or less. While certain steps of the interconnection process still need to be completed, customers can install prior to obtaining traditional Hawaiian Electric approvals and have an opportunity to take advantage of an accelerated interconnection process.
  • Changes since original implementation: Process has not yet been implemented so no changes have been made. We will be providing you more information on this new opportunity over the coming weeks. In the meantime, more information on the pilot can be found in the filing.
  • Deadline extension: Not applicable

Service Upgrade Notice (November 20, 2020)

As you may know, we're putting added focus on residential service upgrades needed to energize rooftop PV systems and lend support to our customers and the solar industry during the COVID-19 pandemic.

While we understand the importance of completing service upgrades as quickly as possible for customers installing PV systems, we must balance commitments to other customers who also require service. To ensure that we focus on projects in need of prompt action, we will begin accepting priority lists for projects that require a faster turnaround on the island of Oahu. You may have up to 5 customers on your priority list at any given time and we ask that you limit your submissions to one per week. Please be sure to include the following information for each project:

  • Service address
  • Electric request number
  • Requestor's (contractor's) contact information

You may submit your priority list to connect@hawaiianelectric.com beginning November 23. Ideally, you should submit a project on a priority list soon after you've initiated the service upgrade request for that project.

As a reminder, there is no limit to the number of service upgrade requests you can submit but we ask that you limit the number of priority-list projects you submit to ensure we can provide the attention that these projects require while still completing other service requests in a timely manner.

SRD V2.0 Notice (August 28, 2020)

Hawaiian Electric will be changing our list of qualified inverters. The changes will go into effect on January 1, 2022, but we want to give you plenty of time to plan and act as needed.

WHAT: Starting on January 1, 2022, all new applications for any Customer Energy Resource program will need to have equipment certified to the latest version of IEEE 1547-2018, IEEE Standard for Interconnection and Interoperability of Distributed Energy Resources with Associated Electric Power Systems Interfaces.

WHY: The last version of IEEE 1547 was published in 2003. During the past 17 years, our needs in Hawaii have exceeded what IEEE 1547 has provided for the interactivity of customer energy resources with the grid. We have made iterative changes in inverter requirements that have enabled us to continue interconnecting customer resources, but the IEEE standard remained largely unchanged until 2018. This latest version of IEEE 1547-2018 recognizes the advancements made in inverter technology and will allow the continued interconnection of new systems certified to this standard and help prepare systems for the future of solar in Hawaii.

HOW: We have spent the past 8 months working intensively with inverter manufacturers, statewide customer energy resource stakeholders, and the Interstate Renewable Energy Council to harmonize our requirements with the latest IEEE standard and reduce the risk of any inverter market disruption. Once we officially start requiring only systems certified to this new standard on January 1, 2022, we will update our Qualified Equipment List online and the list seen in the Customer Interconnection Tool in a seamless transition.

In the meantime, stay tuned for more updates from inverter manufacturers and Hawaiian Electric as we see new products released that are certified to the latest IEEE standard for inverters. Again, the change is more than a year off, but please manage your stock and purchase of equipment with these changes in mind.

Building Permit Requirement Update (August 19, 2020)

We are writing to inform you that effective August 19, validation requirements for Oahu customers will be modified. Specifically, Oahu customers will be required only to show proof that the electrical inspection portion of their building permit has been completed. The current requirement is that both the electrical and building inspections be completed. However, after discussions with stakeholders, we have agreed to amend the building permit requirement for smaller systems (program size 25kW or less) on a trial basis until November 11, 2020. This is also when we will evaluate other interim process improvements we have made to help customers and the solar industry through COVID-19. We will continue to accept a fully closed building permit.

All other validation requirements remain unchanged; please continue to submit normal photos, screenshots, and/or documentation.

If you choose to submit proof of only the electrical inspection, please be sure to include documentation of the building permit number, service address, description of the work, and the date the inspection was completed. (see below for an example)

We are happy to offer this option for our customers and hope it will simplify and improve the interconnection experience.