Rooftop Solar Options
Are you interested in installing a rooftop solar system on your property? Learn which options are the best fit for you.
Private Rooftop Solar
Rooftop Solar Options for New Projects
These programs are the available options for new solar customers to install solar panels on their rooftops. Some programs work better with battery storage, and others may restrict exporting during certain times or when circuit capacity is reached to ensure grid stability.
NOTICE: On March 1, 2024, we will begin offering rooftop solar customers a new program called “Smart DER” with a simpler, single interconnection tariff. The interim rooftop solar programs listed below will be closed to new customers on March 31, 2024. Hawaiian Electric will provide more information on this transition as it becomes available.
- Customer Grid-Supply Plus (CGS Plus) systems must include grid support technology to manage grid reliability and allow the utility to remotely monitor system performance, technical compliance and, if necessary, control for grid stability. CGS Plus succeeded the Customer Grid-Supply (CGS) program, which is no longer available to new applications.
- Smart Export customers with a renewable system and battery energy storage system have the option to export energy to the grid from 4 p.m. – 9 a.m. Systems must include grid support technology to manage grid reliability and system performance.
- Customer Self-Supply (CSS) is intended only for private rooftop solar installations that are designed to not export any electricity to the grid. Customers are not compensated for any export of energy.
Battery Bonus

Hawaiian Electric will issue incentives to customers on Oahu and Maui to add a new energy storage to an existing or new rooftop solar system. These incentives will help move Hawaii toward our 100% clean energy goal by 2045.
As of 12/4/23, the Battery Bonus program was at 39.5 MW out of the maximum capacity of 40 megawatts (MW) for Oahu. Once the cap is reached, no new applications will be accepted. Hawaiian Electric will notify customers 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.
Incentives include:
- A one-time incentive of $850 for every kW committed. The average cash incentive is $4,250 based on a 5kW system.
- A $5 monthly bill credit for every kW committed for the 10 year-duration of the program
- For customers not participating in the Net Energy Metering Program, a monthly credit amount equivalent to the respective retail rate for electricity exported during the two-hour period.
For Net Energy Metering (NEM) Customers

In 2015, the PUC declared the NEM program fully subscribed and closed to new customers. We still provide support for existing customers, and have a new option (NEM Plus) for current NEM customers who would like to add additional non-export capacity to their systems.
- Net Energy Metering Plus (NEM Plus) allows current NEM customers with a signed agreement to add additional non-export capacity to their system.
- Net Energy Metering (NEM) is closed to new applicants.
Apply Online and Download Forms
You may access the Customer Interconnection Tool to apply online. Please see our How To Guide (PDF), How To Make An Amendment Guide (PDF), Training Video, and Frequently Asked Questions for more information.
Amendments
If you have an existing Solar Agreement with Hawaiian Electric, and wish to add, remove, or replace equipment, please submit an amendment through the Customer Interconnection Tool. Amendments are subject to review.
Any new equipment must meet current technical standards, and any new capacity may be limited by the available capacity of your program.
Change of Ownership
Planning to sell or purchase a property with a rooftop solar system already installed, or one with a pending agreement in place? Click here for more information.
Additional Distributed Energy Resources (DER) Forms
Advanced Inverters
The safe, reliable operation of the electric grid is important to everyone. The combination of utility system upgrades and leading-edge, customer-facing technology is providing new opportunities to connect more private rooftop solar systems in less time with greater efficiency. All new rooftop solar systems in Hawaii are required to use advanced inverters that help maintain a stable and reliable grid.