The 5 best solar installers in Hawaii
A geographically diverse top 5 spanning Oahu (Honolulu), Maui, and the Big Island (Hilo / Kona) — so homeowners across the major Hawaiian islands have a local-to-them option. Hawaii's solar market is battery-mandatory in 2026 (CSS / CGS+), so every installer below has substantial solar-plus-storage experience. For Kauai, KIUC operates its own member-owned co-op program; verify multi-island installer coverage on Kauai before signing.
Rising Sun Solar Local
Why listed: Working website confirmed October 2026. No Google business listing was found — confirm the contractor license and ask for local references before signing.
RevoluSun Hawaii Local
Why listed: 4.3-star Google rating from 132 reviews on an owner-verified Google business listing, with a working website (checked October 2026).
ProVision Solar Local
Why listed: 4.9-star Google rating from 91 reviews on an owner-verified Google business listing, with a working website (checked October 2026).
Independent Energy Hawaii Local
Why listed: 5-star Google rating from 361 reviews on an owner-verified Google business listing, with a working website (checked October 2026).
Haleakala Solar & Roofing Local
Why listed: 4.1-star Google rating from 64 reviews on an owner-verified Google business listing, with a working website (checked October 2026).
National installers National
Sunrun and Tesla Energy are the major national installers still actively taking new Hawaii residential contracts as of 2026. Hawaii's market is battery-mandatory, so any national bid you receive should price the system as solar + battery (typically Tesla Powerwall or LG Chem). National installers typically have larger sales footprints but also higher financing markup and more variable local service quality than the Hawaii-based installers above.
Avoid — recently bankrupt or exited: Sunnova (Chapter 11 June 2025), the original SunPower (Chapter 11 August 2024 — the current "SunPower Inc." is rebranded Complete Solaria, a separate company), ADT Solar (exited residential solar January 2024 — warranty service only), Trinity Solar (East Coast only, doesn't serve most states), and Freedom Forever (Chapter 11 April 2026, converted to Chapter 7 liquidation August 2026). If a salesperson contacts you under any of these brand names, ask which legal entity is actually signing the contract and warranty.
For the complete list of national installers with state coverage maps, financing terms, and ratings:
Honorable mentions
Additional Hawaii-based installers worth getting a quote from for geographic and pricing comparison. Verify any installer's current Hawaii contractor license at the Hawaii Contractors License Board before signing.
Other Hawaii-based installers
Malama Solar Local
Why listed: 4.6-star Google rating from 215 reviews on an owner-verified Google business listing, with a working website (checked October 2026).
No regional / mainland installers in this section: Hawaii's geographic isolation means there are no "neighboring-state" installers that drive in. Mainland nationals reach Hawaii via local installation partners — see the national installers callout above.
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 solar incentives and rebates (2026)
Hawaii stacks federal credit pathways (commercial Section 48E for businesses and third-party-owned residential), state-level credits/rebates where applicable, statutory tax exemptions, and utility-specific programs. Below is the 2026 picture with links to authoritative sources.
Federal credits (2026)
- Commercial Section 48E (Clean Electricity Investment Credit): Available to businesses, farms, and to third-party owners in lease/PPA structures (which can pass the benefit through as lower monthly payments). FEOC restrictions apply — see FEOC rules guide and FEOC compliant parts list. IRS — Clean Electricity Investment Credit.
- USDA REAP grants (agricultural / rural small business): Up to 50% of project cost, with low-interest loan guarantees on top. Quarterly application windows. "Before you build" rules — you must apply before construction starts. USDA — REAP Program.
- Federal 30C EV Charger Tax Credit: Up to 30% of eligible EV charging equipment + installation costs at qualifying locations. Expires for property placed in service after June 30, 2026. IRS — 30C Credit.
Hawaii state-level incentives
- HI Renewable Energy Technologies Income Tax Credit: 35% of system cost, capped at $5,000 (residential single-family). Battery storage qualifies separately.
- Property tax exemption: Some HI counties exempt added solar value; verify with your county.
- Sales tax: HI applies General Excise Tax to solar (no specific exemption).
Net metering & utility programs in Hawaii
HI closed traditional NEM in 2015. Customer Self-Supply (CSS) and Smart Export programs are the current options — both prioritize self-consumption + battery storage. Battery is essentially required for HI solar ROI. See also net metering explained.
- Hawaiian Electric (HECO) Oahu: CSS / Smart Export www.hawaiianelectric.com
- Maui Electric (MECO): CSS / Smart Export
- Hawaii Electric Light (HELCO) Big Island: CSS / Smart Export
- KIUC Kauai: Member-owned cooperative; own programs www.kiuc.coop
Hawaii battery storage incentives
HI Battery Bonus (Oahu): Up-front rebate for residential battery + solar (verify 2026 program enrollment status). Strong incentive given grid constraints.
Hawaii EV charger and EV-purchase incentives (2026)
- Federal 30C EV Charger Tax Credit: Up to 30% of eligible equipment + installation in qualifying low-income / non-urban census tracts. Expires June 30, 2026 for property placed in service after that date.
- Many Hawaii utilities and cooperatives offer Level 2 EV charger rebates ($150–$800 typical) often tied to TOU enrollment or smart-charger requirements. Check directly with your specific utility.
Authoritative sources to verify before signing
- HI State Energy Office: energy.hawaii.gov
- DSIRE (Database of State Incentives for Renewables & Efficiency): programs.dsireusa.org/system/program?state=HI — searchable national database, kept current by NC State.
- Federal IRS guidance: irs.gov — Clean Electricity Investment Credit
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.