The Hawai‘i Public Utilities Commission has approved two new programmes expanding its customers’ abilities to install rooftop PV and energy storage systems, while also clarifying the terms of its existing programmes.

The new ‘Smart Export’ programme for customers exploring solar-plus-storage options allows customers to receive credits for power sent back to the grid during night time hours. It will apply to around 3,500-4,500 customers on specific islands. Credit rates are US$14.97 cents on O‘ahu, 11 cents on Hawai‘i Island, 14.41 cents on Maui, 16.64 cents on Moloka‘i, and 20.79 cents on Lāna‘i.

Try Premium for just $1

Full premium access for the first month at only $1
Converts to an annual rate after 30 days unless cancelled
Cancel anytime during the trial period

Start $1 Trial

Premium Benefits

Expert industry analysis and interviews
Digital access to PV Tech Power journal
Exclusive event discounts

Or get the full Premium subscription right away

Get Premium Subscription

Or continue reading this article for free

Get Basic (FREE) Subscription

PUC is also replacing the Customer Grid Supply (CGS) programme with an updated CGS+, to allow customers to supply power just from PV systems to the grid, but with special equipment allowing the utility to reduce the system output in order to maintain grid stability. This will accommodate 5,000-6,000 customers. Credit rates under this programme are 10.08 cents on O‘ahu, 10.55 cents on Hawai‘i Island, 12.17 cents on Maui, 16.77 cents on Moloka‘i, and 20.80 cents on Lāna‘i. The Hawaiian Electric Companies also recently filed a roadmap to creating more resilient and renewable-ready island grids with the PUC.

Importantly those under the original CGS programme will continue to receive their rates for another five years.

Net metering customers will also now be able to add capacity to their systems provided they meet certain technical requirements.

PUC stated: “The decision clarifies that existing NEM customers can add 'non-export' systems and retain their status in the NEM programme.”

Finally, under Smart Export and CGS+, the PUC has also allowed new advanced inverter functions for solar-plus-storage systems that can help the grid during grid disturbances.

A more detailed breakdown on the programmes can be found here.

UPCOMING EVENT

PV CellTech USA 2025

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.

UPCOMING EVENT

Solar & Storage Finance USA 2025

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.

UPCOMING EVENT

PV ModuleTech USA 2026

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.