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.

• 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 11/27/23, the Battery Bonus program was at 36.4 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.