Hawaii’s HECO to offer time-of-use rates

Facebook
Twitter
LinkedIn
Reddit
Email
Source: Flickr/Ricardo Mangual

Hawaii regulators have approved a tariff for Hawaiian Electric Companies (HECO) to establish interim time-of-use (TOU) rates in the utility’s biggest base rate increase in almost six years.

Pursuant to an order issued by the Public Utilities Commission (PUC) on Friday directing HECO to submit tariffs for an interim programme, customers will now be able to manage their energy consumption to reduce payments and also maximise the use of the grid.

This article requires Premium SubscriptionBasic (FREE) Subscription

Unlock unlimited access for 12 whole months of distinctive global analysis

Photovoltaics International is now included.

  • Regular insight and analysis of the industry’s biggest developments
  • In-depth interviews with the industry’s leading figures
  • Unlimited digital access to the PV Tech Power journal catalogue
  • Unlimited digital access to the Photovoltaics International journal catalogue
  • Access to more than 1,000 technical papers
  • Discounts on Solar Media’s portfolio of events, in-person and virtual

Or continue reading this article for free

TOU rates are based on the time of day electricity is used and the cost of supplying electricity to a consumer at that time. If electricity is used during off-peak hours, the rate will be lower than the standard flat rate. Likewise, on-peak hours will cost more than the standard rate.

Under the programme, the on-peak time, coinciding with the highest volume of residential customer demand, will result in higher prices than the standard flat rate. Meanwhile, the off-peak period, usually aroud mid-day, will have lower prices than the standard rate during the day to encourage the use of solar and other renewables.

The interim programme is available for two years on an optional basis for all HECO customers, with a non-punitive opt out option.

According to local Island report, the new programme could result in a US$9.31 monthly increase on a typical 500kWh energy bill due to higher rates during the evening period. However, overall, due to lower fuel prices, bills charged under the new TOU rates will still be lower than standard rates administered a year ago.

The PUC has instructed HECO to file a tariff for the programme within thirty days of its initial order, after which time the programme will be open for enrolment. 

7 October 2025
San Francisco Bay Area, USA
PV Tech has been running an annual PV CellTech Conference since 2016. PV CellTech USA, on 7-8 October 2025 is our third PV CellTech conference dedicated to the U.S. manufacturing sector. The events in 2023 and 2024 were a sell out success and 2025 will once again gather the key stakeholders from PV manufacturing, equipment/materials, policy-making and strategy, capital equipment investment and all interested downstream channels and third-party entities. The goal is simple: to map out PV manufacturing in the U.S. out to 2030 and beyond.
21 October 2025
New York, USA
Returning for its 12th edition, Solar and Storage Finance USA Summit remains the annual event where decision-makers at the forefront of solar and storage projects across the United States and capital converge. Featuring the most active solar and storage transactors, join us for a packed two-days of deal-making, learning and networking.
16 June 2026
Napa, USA
PV Tech has been running PV ModuleTech Conferences since 2017. PV ModuleTech USA, on 16-17 June 2026, will be our fifth PV ModulelTech conference dedicated to the U.S. utility scale solar sector. The event will gather the key stakeholders from solar developers, solar asset owners and investors, PV manufacturing, policy-making and and all interested downstream channels and third-party entities. The goal is simple: to map out the PV module supply channels to the U.S. out to 2027 and beyond.

Read Next

August 1, 2025
DSD Renewables has raised US$238 million to bolster its portfolio of solar projects in 12 US states plus the District of Colombia.
August 1, 2025
The Q3 edition of our downstream solar PV journal, PV Tech Power, is now available to download.
August 1, 2025
US solar module manufacturer First Solar saw sales and net profits increase in Q2 2025, as it forecasts a strong performance under the Trump administration’s industrial and trade policy changes.
August 1, 2025
The US Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of Texas has approved the sale of substantially all of residential solar installer Sunnova's assets and business operations.
July 31, 2025
US solar module manufacturer SEG Solar has shipped its first order of utility-scale solar modules from its Texas production facility.
July 31, 2025
First Solar has completed a deal to sell US$391 million in tax credits, bringing its total tax credit sales this year to over US$1.5 billion.

Subscribe to Newsletter

Upcoming Events

Media Partners, Solar Media Events
September 2, 2025
Mexico City, Mexico
Solar Media Events
September 16, 2025
Athens, Greece
Solar Media Events
September 30, 2025
Seattle, USA
Solar Media Events
October 1, 2025
London, UK
Solar Media Events
October 2, 2025
London,UK