The top solar installers in Hawaii (2026)
Rising Sun Solar Hawaii Local
Why listed: Founded 1986. Largest solar energy company in Hawaii. Tesla-certified for Powerwall and Solar Roof installs. Strong reputation for full-service warranty support across multi-decade installs.
RevoluSun Hawaii Hawaii Local
Why listed: Founded 2009. Has powered 10,000+ Hawaii homes plus hundreds of commercial sites. In-house teams across all islands — not subcontracted. Strong on whole-home electrification packages including EV charger and home backup.
ProVision Solar Hawaii Local
Why listed: Founded 1998. Multiple Best Solar Installer awards in Hawaii East and Hawaii West. Known for fast install timelines (as little as 3 months on Big Island). Strong fit for Big Island and Maui customers.
Independent Energy Hawaii Hawaii Local
Why listed: Highest-rated solar company in Hawaii by Google review volume (200+ five-star reviews). Specializes in solar-plus-storage given Hawaii's battery-mandatory market.
Malama Solar Hawaii Local
Why listed: Family-owned local installer with deep knowledge of HECO interconnection processes and Hawaii state incentives. Smaller-scale alternative to the big multi-island players.
Other Hawaii solar installers worth knowing about
- Haleakala Solar & Roofing (Maui) — combined solar + roof replacement, common pairing in HI's tropical climate.
- Pacific Energy Hawaii — multi-island residential installer.
- Sunshine Solar Hawaii — Oahu-based residential installer.
- Hawaiian Island Solar — multi-island coverage.
- Sunrun (national, listed as a national option) — serves Hawaii via lease/PPA. See national installers.
Verify any installer's current Hawaii contractor license at the Hawaii Contractors License Board before signing.
Hawaii solar economics in 2026
| Metric | Hawaii average |
|---|---|
| Average residential rate | $0.38–$0.45 / kWh (highest in U.S.) |
| Typical 8 kW system + 13.5 kWh battery | $45,000–$55,000 before incentives |
| Average $/W (PV only) | $3.50–$4.50 |
| Average annual production (kWh per kW) | ~1,500–1,750 kWh/kW/year |
| Net metering structure | CSS (no export) or CGS+ (capped export ~$0.14–$0.15/kWh) |
| Average cash payback (with battery) | 5–8 years |
Hawaii incentives and rebates (2026)
- Hawaii State Renewable Energy Technologies Income Tax Credit: 35% of system cost, capped at $5,000 per residential PV system. One of the most generous state credits in the U.S. Confirm with HI Department of Taxation: tax.hawaii.gov.
- HECO Battery Bonus: Oahu and Maui customers who add a battery may qualify for a one-time bonus payment for grid stability services. Details vary by program year — verify with hawaiianelectric.com.
- Federal commercial §48E ITC: Available to lease/PPA, agricultural, and commercial systems (subject to FEOC compliance). Residential §25D credit expired Dec 31, 2025 — cash/loan home purchases in 2026 do not get a federal residential credit. See federal tax credit guide and FEOC rules.
- HECO Customer Self-Supply (CSS): No grid export. Solar offsets daytime usage; battery shifts evening usage. Most common new-install structure.
- HECO Customer Grid-Supply Plus (CGS+): Capped export at HECO's avoided-cost rate (~$0.14–$0.15/kWh on Oahu, varies). Better economics than CSS for high-export systems but limited capacity available per circuit.
- KIUC (Kauai): Different program structure. Kauai Island Utility Cooperative members have their own net energy metering and self-supply tariffs — not HECO. Verify with kiuc.coop.
What to verify before signing in Hawaii
- HECO interconnection circuit availability: Some Oahu circuits are saturated and have hosting capacity limits. Your installer should confirm available capacity at your address before signing — do NOT rely on "we'll work it out".
- Battery sizing for CSS: Without grid export, your battery must absorb most daytime production for evening use. Plan for 1.5–2 kWh of battery per kW of solar minimum.
- Salt-air corrosion: Coastal Hawaii installs need marine-grade hardware (stainless steel fasteners, corrosion-rated racking). Standard mainland hardware fails fast in salt-air.
- Hurricane wind rating: Some HI counties require Cat 3+ hurricane-rated mounting. Confirm your installer specs to your county code.
- Hawaii state credit cap: The $5,000 cap is per system. Larger 10+ kW systems still cap at $5K — diminishing returns above ~14 kW for residential.
Got bids from Hawaii installers? Compare them properly.
Upload up to four solar proposals from any HI installer. The analyzer compares $/W, production estimates, equipment, and storage sizing — tuned for HECO interconnection and the battery-mandatory HI market.
Analyze My Bids →Frequently asked questions about Hawaii solar
Why does Hawaii require batteries now?
HECO closed traditional 1:1 net metering in 2015 because grid penetration of distributed solar was reaching levels that strained their grid infrastructure. The current programs (CSS / CGS+) effectively require batteries to capture the value of midday solar for evening use.
How fast is Hawaii payback?
Among the fastest in the U.S. — typically 5-8 years on a solar+battery cash purchase, given the $0.38-$0.45/kWh electricity rates. Lease/PPA structures can show day-one positive cash flow.
Should I size for CSS or CGS+?
If your daytime use can absorb most production, CSS is simpler. If you produce way more than you use during the day and want to export some at $0.14-$0.15/kWh, ask your installer about current CGS+ availability on your circuit. Both work — installer should model both options for you.