HAWAII
Solar in Hawaii
With 240 days of sunshine annually,* Hawaii basks under sunny skies sun for 65% of the year. Hawaii receives a much higher amount of sunshine than the rest of the U.S. BestPlaces.com gives it a comfort index of 8.7 out of 10.* Temperatures are mild with no snowfall in the state; however, home solar panels in Hawaii must endure 57 inches of rain annually.
The American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy (ACEEE) ranks the state fourteenth in the nation for its energy policies.* Since 96% of Hawaii’s buildings are solar-viable,* the state is primed to capitalize on its abundant sunshine.
Hawaii ranks 16th in the U.S. in terms of the number of megawatts of its solar installations, according to the Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA). * It provides nearly 17% of the state’s electricity and can power 356,477 homes. Hawaii has over 93,000 solar installations, with the Waiawa Solar Project (Phase I) and 12 MW, KRS I Anahola Solar are the most significant. Information about other solar installations* is available on SEIA’s website.
Solar potential in Hawaii?
Hawaii has a high potential for solar energy production. The state receives an average of 6.9 hours of sunshine per day, and the average annual solar irradiance is 5.7 kWh/m2. This means that solar panels in Hawaii can generate a significant amount of electricity.
Cost of solar in Hawaii?
The cost of a home solar system can vary due to a range of factors, even in the same state. These include.
Quality of the solar system’s panels and parts
The angle of the roof
Weather
Household’s energy needs
Roof space
To help you understand the price of going solar in your area, we’ve analyzed SunPower price quotes as well as quotes gathered by third-party sources for thousands of homeowners across the country.
In Hawaii, we found that the average investment to own a 5 kW solar system is $13,950, or in other words, from $2.79 per watt—and that’s before considering the benefits of any available tax credits or incentives.
Advantages?
Federal solar tax credit: The federal government offers an investment tax credit (ITC) of 26% for solar energy systems installed in Hawaii. This means that if you install a solar system in Hawaii, you can claim a tax credit of 26% of the cost of your system. This can save you a significant amount of money on your taxes.
State rebates: There are a number of rebate programs available for solar energy systems in Hawaii. These rebate programs can help to offset the cost of your solar system.
Utility company incentives: Some utility companies in Hawaii offer incentives for homeowners who install solar panels. These incentives can include discounts on your electricity bill or payments for excess electricity that you generate.
Hawaiians pay more for electrical power than any other Americans. Statistics from the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) show that as of April 2021, Hawaii ranks 1st in the nation for the average retail price of electricity to the residential sector, with an average price of nearly 33 cents per kilowatt-hour. In contrast, half of the American states have an average price of less than 13 cents.
Solar equipment can last 30-40 years, saving system owners around $20,000 in energy costs over the first 25 years. A few other benefits of converting sunlight to electricity are better air quality, CO2 reduction, and good jobs in an industry poised for growth.
Disadvantages?
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Shade: Solar panels need direct sunlight to generate electricity. If your home is in a shady area, or things are covering your panels you may not be able to generate as much electricity with solar panels.
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Weather: Some Solar panels can be damaged by hail, snow, and strong winds. However, our solar panels are designed to withstand these conditions and even extreme weather conditions like hurricanes, tornado, and blizzards.
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Panels aesthetic: Our solar panels are different. They are all black, sleek, and thin. They have a more modern look. Some people find solar panels on homes unattractive and if your feel like that we also offer Ground mount installations. It’s a great option if you have open land that receives good sunlight.
Hawaii state policies?
Homeowners in Hawaii may claim the 30% federal residential solar energy tax credit for new solar photovoltaic (PV) systems they installed.*
Hawaii imports most of its energy, which is why the costs are so high. Nationally, however, prices are dropping for solar panels, and they’ve dropped 43%* since 2016 and 80% in the past decade. Hawaii’s solar build-out includes solar farms, large retailers, and residential installs.
As the first state to enact performance-based ratemaking (PBR) into law, Hawaii is progressive in its energy policy.* Hawaiians can take advantage of several incentive programs, including:
The Hawaii Renewable Energy Technologies Income Tax Credit
Property tax credits in Kauai and Honolulu counties
The Renewable Fuels Production Tax Credit (RFPTC)
Maintaining solar panels?
Solar panels are relatively low-maintenance. However, you should have them cleaned every few years to remove dirt, dust, and debris. You can clean your solar panels yourself, or you can hire a professional to do it for you.
What's the best way to go solar?
Are you interested in going solar in Hawaii? If so, we can help!
Before going solar, be sure to keep in mind factors that will affect the output of clean energy to your home. For instance, South-facing roofs generate the most energy, followed by west-facing roofs. North-facing roofs generate the least amount of energy. We look into multiple aspects to make sure you have the most effective setup such as roof orientation, roof pitch, shade, and weather.
We offer a free virtual consultation and savings report to help you determine if solar is right for you. We will also help you access solar incentives and rebates to reduce the cost of installation.
Freedom Forever solar panels system is Top-Tier and backed by a 25-year full system production guarantee. We also offer a satisfaction guarantee, so you can be sure that you are making the right decision and test it out stress free.
If you are interested in learning more about solar power in Hawaii, please contact us today for a free virtual consultation.
We look forward to helping you make the switch to solar!