HAWAII

HAWAII HAS THE HIGHEST
ELECTRICITY RATES IN
THE COUNTRY.

Hawaii's electricity rates are the highest in the nation, ranging from roughly 35-43¢/kWh depending on island, utility, and usage tier - more than double the national average of $0.182/kWh. Balcony solar's payback in Hawaii would be faster than anywhere else in America - if the law passes. Two separate bills are moving through the legislature right now.

MULTIPLE BILLS ADVANCING - EARLY STAGE
35-43¢Per kWh, by island & tier2x+The US average rate2 billsMoving simultaneously1,200WProposed limit (SB2940)
Hawaii's electricity situationHow tiered rates workIsland-by-islandThe two billsWhat's available nowWhy Hawaii is unique
THE RATE

WHY HAWAII PAYS SO MUCH MORE FOR ELECTRICITY.

Hawaii's electricity rates are the highest in the nation, ranging from approximately 35-43¢/kWh depending on island, utility, and usage tier - more than double the national average of $0.182/kWh, and meaningfully higher than even Connecticut or California, the next-highest states Sol Country tracks.

The main reason: Hawaii's isolated island grids. Unlike mainland states, Hawaii's utilities can't import electricity from neighboring states during shortages or buy power on a regional grid - each island largely generates its own power, historically relying heavily on imported oil.

Hawaiian Electric (HECO) serves Oahu, Maui, Hawaii Island (the "Big Island"), Lanai, and Molokai - about 95% of Hawaii's population. Kauai is served separately by Kauai Island Utility Cooperative (KIUC), a member-owned cooperative with notably lower rates than HECO.

What this means for solar: Hawaii already leads the nation in rooftop solar installations per capita - high rates make solar payback faster here than almost anywhere else. The same math applies to balcony solar, if and when it becomes legal.

HOW THE BILL ACTUALLY WORKS

YOUR RATE DEPENDS ON HOW MUCH YOU USE - NOT JUST WHERE YOU LIVE.

HECO's Oahu Schedule R rate is tiered: approximately 35.4¢/kWh for your first 350 kWh, 36.8¢/kWh for the next portion, and 39.1¢/kWh for usage over 1,200 kWh in a billing period - plus a monthly fuel cost adjustment that changes with oil prices.

This matters for balcony solar: a panel that reduces your usage enough to drop you into a lower tier saves you MORE per kWh than a simple rate-times-output calculation suggests.

ISLAND BY ISLAND

FOUR UTILITIES. FOUR DIFFERENT RATE PICTURES.

Hawaii isn't one grid - it's four. Rates and rules vary meaningfully by which island and which utility serves you.

OAHU (HECO)
~35-39¢/kWh tiered. Largest grid in the state, generally the most stable rates of the HECO-served islands.
HECO Schedule R
MAUI COUNTY (MECO)
Runs a few cents higher than Oahu. Serves Maui, Lanai, and Molokai as separate micro-grids, with major grid investments since the 2023 Lahaina wildfire.
MECO
BIG ISLAND (HELCO)
Among the highest rates in the state. Unique geothermal baseload power from the Puna Geothermal Venture supplements oil and renewables.
HELCO
KAUAI (KIUC)
Notably LOWER rates than HECO/MECO/HELCO, thanks to its member-owned cooperative structure and heavy renewable penetration.
KIUC co-op
HECO HAS A RATE INCREASE PENDINGHawaii utility regulators have approved HECO's first major rate increase request in over five years, citing wildfire risk mitigation and rising insurance costs. If approved, the increase would affect Oahu, Maui, and Big Island customers before January 1, 2027. Sol Country is tracking this alongside other utilities' filed rate changes. See all filed rate changes →
TWO SEPARATE BILLS - NOT ONE

SB2940 AND SB2902 ARE DIFFERENT BILLS. HERE'S HOW.

Unlike most states Sol Country tracks, Hawaii has two separate bills moving through its legislature simultaneously, with different scopes. Both are genuinely early in the process - neither has passed a full chamber yet as of this writing.

SB2940 - THE BROADER BILL
SB2940
Relating to Solar Energy
WHO IT COVERS
Apartments, other rental properties, and small businesses - written for general renters, not just condo owners.
WHAT IT DOES
Caps devices at 1,200W aggregate per electrical meter. Exempts portable solar from net metering program requirements and interconnection requirements. Requires PUC registration.
STATUS
Introduced January 30, 2026. Referred to committee. Early stage - has not yet had a committee vote as of this writing.
SB2902 - THE CONDO-SPECIFIC BILL
SB2902
Relating to Renewable Energy
WHO IT COVERS
Condominium unit owners ONLY - specifically organized under Hawaii's Chapter 514B condominium law. Does not address apartment renters generally.
WHAT IT DOES
Establishes a PUC-run online registration system specifically for condo installations. Clarifies how condo association approval procedures apply.
STATUS
Passed Second Reading (amended) and referred to committee as of mid-February 2026 - slightly further along than SB2940, but narrower in scope.
WHY TWO BILLS?Hawaii's legislature appears to be addressing condos (which have a distinct legal structure under Chapter 514B) separately from general rental apartments. It's not yet clear whether these will be combined, or whether one will advance while the other stalls. Sol Country will update this page as either bill moves.
DON'T WAIT FOR THE LEGISLATURE

AT 35-43¢/kWh, COMMUNITY SOLAR ALONE IS WORTH LOOKING AT TODAY.

Regardless of how SB2940 and SB2902 turn out, Hawaii residents have real options right now - no legislation required.

COMMUNITY SOLAR
HECO has established community solar programs. At Hawaii's rate, even a modest bill discount translates to real dollar savings.
Explore →
H-HEAP BILL ASSISTANCE
Hawaii's Energy Assistance Program (H-HEAP) can auto-enroll qualifying households in HECO's Tier Waiver Provision, applying the lowest tiered rate to your bill for 12 months.
Learn more →
ENERGY SMART 4 HOMES
HECO's efficiency program helps reduce both electricity and water use - relevant given Hawaii's combined high utility costs.
HECO program
IF YOU'RE NEW TO THIS

THREE THINGS THAT MAKE HAWAII DIFFERENT FROM EVERY OTHER STATE.

ISLAND GRIDS, NOT ONE GRID
Each island has its own electrical grid. A law passing statewide doesn't mean every island's utility implements it identically - KIUC (Kauai) and HECO (everywhere else) may have different registration processes.
HIGHEST WIND/STORM EXPOSURE OF ANY STATE COVERED
Hawaii's wind conditions mean mounting security matters more here than almost anywhere else Sol Country covers. Secure, weighted, or tethered mounting is essential, not optional.
ALREADY THE NATION'S ROOFTOP SOLAR LEADER
Hawaii leads the US in rooftop solar per capita. High existing solar adoption means Hawaii's utilities and regulators have more experience with distributed solar than most states - which may mean smoother implementation once a law passes.

FIND THE RIGHT POWER
FOR YOUR HOME.

FIND MY POWER →
HONEST ABOUT THE COMPLEXITYTRACKING BOTH BILLSUPDATED AS THEY MOVE