Hawaii

HI

SB 2902 / HB 1644 — Relating to Plug-In Solar Energy Systems

Deferred
Current Status
Last verified: April 2026

Legislative Status

Deferred until 2027. SB 2902 passed the full Senate and cleared the House Energy & Environmental Protection Committee before the session ended without a full House floor vote. Strong momentum; sponsors plan to reintroduce in 2027.

Sponsored by: Sen. Glenn Wakai (SB 2902)

Legislation Progress

Passed Committee

50%

pipeline complete

Introduced
In Committee
Passed Committee
One Chamber
Both Chambers
Gov. Desk
Enacted

Passage Likelihood

78%

Passed full Senate and House Energy & Environmental Protection Committee in 2026. Democratic trifecta, highest US electricity rates ($0.39/kWh). Strong 2027 prospects.

Session Deadline

May 8, 2026

Legislative calendar cutoff

Expected Timeline

Consumer Protection Committee vote expected April 2026. Full House vote and Governor Green (D) signature possible before May 8 adjournment.

Hawaii Solar Data

Avg. Electricity Rate42.7¢/kWh
TOU Peak Spread
18¢/kWh
Est. Annual Savings
~$720/yr
Last UpdatedApril 2026
Calculate HI Savings
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Key Provisions

Exempts small plug-in solar systems from HECO interconnection requirements. Allows self-installation. Given Hawaii's extremely high electricity rates ($0.427/kWh), savings potential is the highest in the nation.

What This Means for You

What You Can Do

If passed: self-install without HECO approval. At $0.427/kWh, an 800W system could save $500+ per year.

Current Limitations

Law not yet enacted. HECO currently requires interconnection agreements.

Official Bill Reference

Passed Senate · In House Consumer Protection and Commerce Committee (April 2026)
View Full Bill Text — SB 2902 / HB 1644

Opens official state legislature website in a new tab.

Hawaii State Overview

Key data on solar potential, demographics, utilities, and incentives.

Solar Resource
Peak Sun Hours5.78 hrs/day
Optimal Tilt20°
Best FacingDue South (180°)
Est. Annual Output (800W)1,300 kWh/yr
Best MonthsJuly, August, September

The PVWatts energy estimate is based on an hourly performance simulation using a typical-year weather file that represents a multi-year historical period for Honolulu, HI for a Fixed (open rack) photovoltaic system.

Major Utilities
Hawaiian Electric
~1.4 million customers
No net metering

Population
1,435,138
Total Households
493,898
Owner-Occupied
308,421
Renter-Occupied
185,477
Single-Family Homes
307,443
Apartment Units (5+)
173,290
Median Income
$95,322
Median Home Value
$846,400

38% of Hawaii households are renter-occupied — approximately 185,477 households that could benefit from plug-in solar without owning their home.

News Coverage

Media coverage of plug-in solar developments in Hawaii.

State support could energize movement to equip more homes with plug-in solar

Hawaii Public RadioFebruary 25, 2026

Balcony solar is taking state legislatures by storm

Canary MediaFebruary 2026