558k 
222k 
52k 
Subscribe 
5 Best Solar Companies in Hawaii (2025 Reviews)
In this guide to Hawaii’s best solar companies, we’ll answer your questions including:
- What are the best solar providers in Hawaii?
- How can Hawaii residents save money on their solar systems?
- Is DIY solar a better option than hiring a professional in Hawaii?
Advertisement
By submitting your information, you are leaving EcoWatch and will be connected with partners of Home Service Quotes who may contact you with information related to your inquiry.
Find local solar quotes
Get Quote
Join the 1,587 homeowners who got free quotes in the past 30 days.
Hawaii is one of the most lucrative places to go solar in the country. The state has the highest energy prices in the nation and below-average solar panel system size requirements, which means systems pay for themselves in just five years and then save an average of $76,847 on average after the breakeven point.
Choosing to go solar in Hawaii is simple, but picking one of the more than 75 installers in the state is much more complicated. In this guide, we’ll be discussing what we believe are the best solar companies in Hawaii and why we recommend each so highly. We’ll also provide some insight into what qualities we believe are the most important to look for in a Hawaii solar installer.
What Are the Best Solar Companies in Hawaii?
We’ve spent dozens of hours researching solar providers in your area to make sure we recommend the ones that are most likely to exceed your expectations. Below are the five companies we believe are the most worthy of your consideration in Hawaii:
- Tesla: Best Technology
- Malama Solar: Best Regional Installer
- Independent Energy Hawaii: Best Customer Service
- RevoluSun Hawaii: Best System Customization
- Rising Sun Solar: Most Local Experience
Compare Hawaii’s Top-Rated Solar Providers
Overall, we recommend hiring Malama Solar to handle your solar project in Hawaii. We’ll compare these companies and our other picks for the best solar companies in Hawaii side-by-side in the table below. This should help you decide which options to consider further as you read.
| Solar Providers | Superlative | Our Score | Avg Cost ($–$$$$$) | Warranty | Financing Options |
| Tesla | Best Technology | 4.5/5 | $$ | 25 years for equipment and performance; 10 years for workmanship | Cash, solar loan, solar lease, PPA |
| Malama Solar | Best Regional Provider | 4.5/5 | $$$ | 25 years for equipment and performance; 10 years for workmanship | Cash, solar loan |
| Independent Energy Hawaii | Best Customer Service | 4/5 | $$$ | 25 years for equipment and performance | Cash, solar loan |
| RevoluSun Hawaii | Best System Customization | 5/5 | $$$ | 25 years for equipment and performance; 20 years for roof leak coverage | Cash, solar loan, solar lease |
| Rising Sun Solar | Most Local Experience | 4.5/5 | $$ | 25 years for equipment and performance; five years for workmanship | Cash, solar loan |
Advertisement
This site receives compensation from the companies featured in this listing, which may impact where and how products appear. This listing doesn’t feature all companies, products, or offers that may be available.
Sunrun
Best for Leasing
Pros
- Regional
- Many financing options
Cons
- Some reported issues with customer service
- Some reported issues with door-to-door sales
Apollo Energy
Great Social Impact
Regional Service
Average cost
Pros
- Women-owned
- Bilingual service associates
- Certified B Corp
- NABCEP-certified technicians
- Makes charitable contributions
Cons
- Relatively young company
- No leases or PPAs
Tesla Energy
Best Technology
Pros
- Price-match guarantee
- Sleek, efficient and durable solar panels
- Best solar battery on the market
Cons
- Some reported issues with customer service
- Customer service varies by local dealer
Tesla manufactures some of the most appealing solar batteries in the industry, which are sure to serve Hawaiians and help them maximize their solar savings over time.
Tesla sometimes struggles with customer service, but we still think it’s an option worth considering for the advanced tech you get.
Why We Chose Tesla as the Company With the Best Technology
Tesla manufactures the Tesla Powerwall, the most sought-after solar battery in the solar industry. High-efficiency solar batteries are very popular in Hawaii because of the lack of a statewide net metering policy, and the Powerwall is the ideal option for maximizing savings and maintaining electricity through the frequent power outages, in our opinion.
The Powerwall comes with some great features, too, like the ability to manage how your stored energy is allocated from your phone. This is a great option to have in a place like Hawaii, where storing enough energy to last through blackouts and using enough to offset your well-above-average energy bills is a delicate balance.
Tesla also installs one of the most popular EV chargers. With EVs becoming more and more popular as the State of Hawaii works toward its ambitious renewable portfolio standard (RPS) goal, these will be an increasingly popular option among solar customers.
What We Don’t Like
The biggest downside to Tesla, as we see it, is that the company outsources all of its installations to third-party companies. That’s not necessarily a bad thing, but it does mean that Tesla itself has less control over your installation than an in-house installer would, which means customer service can be spotty, depending on the company assigned to your solar project.
Additionally, Tesla only installs a single brand of panels and its own brand of other products, including batteries and EV chargers. These do have outstanding quality and performance, but we’d like to see some other options for customization and to appeal to different customers.
Read our full review of Tesla for more information.
Solar Products
Tesla used to manufacture its own panels but has since started working exclusively with QCells. QCells from Hanwha is a great tier-one brand that delivers durability and longevity, and they have a high enough efficiency rating — up to 21.4% — to produce sufficient energy to offset your high electric bills in Hawaii.
QCells also averages around $2.75 per watt, whereas most direct competitors with similar efficiency ratings average around $3.00 per watt. These can help you keep costs down, which is helpful in an area like HI that has high equipment costs.
Below are some other products and services you can get through Tesla:
- Tesla solar roof
- Tesla Powerwalls
- Tesla EV charger
- The Tesla solar monitoring app
Financing Options
Tesla accepts cash, solar loans, solar leases and power purchase agreements (PPAs) as payment for its services. A cash purchase is going to be your best option overall for savings in the long run, and it’s more accessible in Hawaii than in most states, thanks to the small system size requirements in the area.
A loan is our next most recommended option, followed by a lease and, finally, a PPA. Leases and PPAs don’t let you take the federal credit and deliver lower savings overall, but they are highly accessible.
Warranty Information
Tesla’s panels come with a 25-year manufacturer’s warranty plus a 25-year production guarantee. The former is in line with what’s average in the industry, and the latter is a little longer than average.
Tesla also includes a ten-year warranty for its workmanship, which is average. We do wish this was a little longer since the above-average annual rainfall in the Aloha State can put improperly installed systems at greater risk of damage and leaking. Still, we can’t complain much since ten years is the average in the solar industry.
Advertisement
This site receives compensation from the companies featured in this listing, which may impact where and how products appear. This listing doesn’t feature all companies, products, or offers that may be available.
Best Technology
Facts and Figures: Tesla Energy
| EcoWatch Rating |
|---|
| Better Business Bureau (BBB) Rating |
| Average Cost ($-$$$$$) |
| Solar Services |
| 4.5 |
| C |
| $$ |
| Solar Panels, Solar Batteries, EV Chargers, Solar Roof Shingles, System Monitoring |
Malama Solar
Outstanding Regional Installer
Regional Service
Average cost
Pros
- Family-owned and -operated
- Offers products from leading manufacturers
- NABCEP-certified technicians
- Many financing options
Cons
- Relatively young company
- Limited service area
- Slightly limited service offerings
Malama Solar provides a great array of products and couples those with incredible customer service, making it the best regional installer, in our opinion.
Malama has a limited service area and is a relatively young company, but we think it already has a great reputation for excellent service and customer care.
Why We Chose Malama Solar as the Best Regional Installer
“Malama” translates to “to take care,” so it’s no surprise that customer service is at the forefront of every Malama Solar installation. The company maintains a 4.9-star rating on Google Reviews and has an A+ rating with the Better Business Bureau (BBB). Customers also rave about how communicative, professional and friendly the representatives are.
Malama installs a handful of tier-one brands that are suitable for sufficient energy generation in Hawaii, and it employs a team of experienced installation technicians to install them. Many of those installers are certified by the North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners (NABCEP), meaning the installation crew is highly trained and exhibits expertise.
Additionally, Malama is a Hawaii-based family-owned business, so you can feel good about hiring the provider to handle your solar project. The local expertise also means the reps are willing and able to help you take full advantage of Hawaii’s solar incentives, which could help you save some money.
What We Don’t Like
Currently, Malama only serves Oahu and Big Island, although it is working on expanding. For right now, though, the service area is limited, so you might not be able to get a system installed by the company, depending on where you live.
Additionally, Malama was founded in 2017, so it has less than a decade of experience. We prefer companies with at least ten years of experience, especially in high-demand areas like Hawaii, where a lot of sub-par companies pop up to take advantage and maximize profit. We don’t believe Malama is one of those companies, but we’d still prefer more experience under its belt.
Solar Products
Malama installs panels from Panasonic, QCells and SolarEdge. These are all excellent options for Hawaiians, and we feel they provide a good range from affordable to premium and moderate efficiency to high efficiency.
If you want to minimize your upfront installation costs, we suggest you choose the SolarEdge panels. These panels have the lowest cost per watt and still perform well. If you want maximum energy production — whether you have a small roof and can only fit a few panels or you want the best chance of eliminating your electric bills — we recommend the Panasonic panels, which have efficiency ratings of up to 22.3%.
Below are some other products and services you can get access to via Malama:
- Tesla Powerwalls
- Generac solar batteries
- The Tesla and Enphase solar monitoring apps
Financing Options
Malama Solar only accepts cash and solar loans, so you’ll be limited to the higher-cost options. However, these are the only options we typically recommend, so we think as long as you can afford one of these, this is a pro rather than a con.
Of the two options, we recommend cash. A cash purchase is going to save you an average of around $49,500 after the panels pay for themselves, whereas a loan will likely save closer to $44,000. These are still impressive savings, but cash is just a little bit more impressive.
Warranty Information
Malama Solar provides the same warranty coverage as Tesla: 25 years for the equipment and efficiency and ten years for the workmanship.
The ten-year labor warranty is average, but we would like to see lengthier coverage. Since Hawaii does see heavy rainfall in some areas, roof leaks are more of a risk than they are in most other states, and an improperly installed system increases that risk even more. We will say that the company’s NABCEP-certified techs help reduce that risk, though.
Advertisement
This site receives compensation from the companies featured in this listing, which may impact where and how products appear. This listing doesn’t feature all companies, products, or offers that may be available.
Outstanding Regional Installer
Facts and Figures: Malama Solar
| EcoWatch Rating |
|---|
| Better Business Bureau (BBB) Rating |
| Average Cost ($-$$$$$) |
| Solar Services |
| 4.5 |
| Not Rated |
| $$$ |
| Solar Panels, Solar Batteries |
Independent Energy Hawaii
Outstanding Regional Installer
Regional Service
Average cost
Pros
- NABCEP-certified technicians
- Offers products from leading manufacturers
- Locally owned and operated
Cons
- Relatively young company
Independent Energy Hawaii can’t be beaten when it comes to customer service. The representatives are all super friendly and helpful and take an educational approach to solar sales.
This is a young provider with no formal workmanship warranty, but we feel the company is still worth considering, given its local expertise.
Why We Chose Independent Energy Hawaii as the Best for Customer Service
Independent Energy Hawaii is a local company based right in Honolulu, and it provides that small-company feel you can only get from a local operation. The company’s representatives and technicians are all incredibly friendly, approachable and professional, and the service they provide is second to none. This is a big reason the provider maintains an unprecedented 5-star rating on Google Reviews and on the BBB’s website.
With locally-trained technicians that deliver high-quality service, you can also expect them to help you navigate the solar incentives and rebates available in your area. They work regularly with different municipalities and utility companies, so they’re always up to date on the best way to help you save money using tax incentives and other perks.
Many of the company’s technicians are also NABCEP-certified, so you get great service, local experience and unmatched expertise all in one package.
What We Don’t Like
The biggest downside to working with Independent Energy Hawaii, in our opinion, is that the company doesn’t offer a formal workmanship warranty. We do believe the company’s local expertise speaks for itself, but in a relatively high-risk area like Hawaii, we’d love to see a solid warranty to keep your system and home adequately protected.
Additionally, this company was founded in 2019, making it the youngest company on our list. We prefer companies with at least a decade of experience that have established some longevity, but we also think the company’s upsides make it one that’s worth considering.
Solar Products
Independent Energy Hawaii works mostly with REC panels which are tier-one monocrystalline panels. However, it can get access to other brands if you’re looking to optimize for a lower installation cost.
REC panels have an above-average efficiency and exhibit excellent durability, so we think it’s a great brand to consider in Hawaii. They are a little on the expensive side, though.
In addition to REC panels, the following products and services are available through Independent Energy Hawaii:
- Tesla Powerwalls
- Generac solar batteries
- Enphase IQ batteries
- The Tesla and Enphase solar monitoring apps
- JuiceBox EV chargers
- Smart home devices
- Commercial solar projects
Financing Options
Like many smaller local companies, Independent Energy Hawaii only accepts cash purchases and solar loans. We do prefer installers that accept more options for accessibility, but in an area like Hawaii, where system costs are nearly $10,000 lower than the national average before incentives, these “less accessible” options are still quite realistic for most homeowners.
We suggest a cash purchase to maximize your solar savings over time, but a loan is also an excellent option that will still save you a significant amount of money on your utility bills.
Warranty Information
Independent Energy Hawaii’s panels come with a 25-year warranty for manufacturer defects and a 25-year power production guarantee. The equipment warranty is average, and the production warranty is a little better than most other companies provide.
Unfortunately, there is no workmanship warranty, which is a pretty significant downside, in our opinion. The industry average is ten years for labor, but we ideally like to see even longer than that in rainy states like Hawaii.
Advertisement
This site receives compensation from the companies featured in this listing, which may impact where and how products appear. This listing doesn’t feature all companies, products, or offers that may be available.
Outstanding Regional Installer
Facts and Figures: Independent Energy Hawaii
| EcoWatch Rating |
|---|
| Better Business Bureau (BBB) Rating |
| Average Cost ($-$$$$$) |
| Solar Services |
| 4 |
| A+ |
| $$$ |
| Solar Panels, Solar Batteries, EV Chargers, Maintenance & Repairs, Removal & Reinstallation |
RevoluSun Hawaii
Outstanding Regional Installer
Regional Service
Average cost
Pros
- Great warranty coverage
- Offers products from leading manufacturers
- Many financing options
- Excellent reputation
Cons
- Limited brands of solar equipment available
- Slightly expensive
RevoluSun Hawaii has a massive array of products and services to offer, providing you with lots of system customization options and an opportunity to boost your home’s efficiency.
The company struggles with customer service in some cases, but we feel it’s still a decent option overall.
Why We Chose RevoluSun Hawaii as the Best for System Customization
The biggest upside to choosing RevoluSun Hawaii, in our opinion, is the number of services you get access to that can boost your home’s energy efficiency and save you money. While most other providers focus on solar panels and batteries, RevoluSun also offers air conditioning installations, smart home devices and solar water heaters. These services can be combined to maximize savings and reduce your carbon footprint even more.
The company also carries a handful of panel brands to let you customize your PV system, including Maxeon panels, which are some of the best in the industry.
RevoluSun’s warranty coverage is another feather in its cap. You get the standard 25 years of protection for your equipment and energy production, but you also get a 20-year roof leak warranty. This is outstanding in a place like Hawaii, where the rainfall is above average and increases the risk of leaking.
What We Don’t Like
RevoluSun Hawaii struggles with customer service in some cases. Some customers have mentioned a lack of communication throughout their installation process, and some even note that the company has backed out of agreed-upon projects. The company isn’t terribly large, so it’s unclear why it struggles to provide high-quality service.
RevoluSun Hawaii is also a little on the expensive side, so the cost of some of its services is a drawback. We do think the quality of the equipment you get is excellent, though, and is worth the investment.
Solar Products
RevoluSun installs panels from SunPower/Maxeon, Solaria, Silfab and SolarEdge. These are excellent options to choose from that run the gamut from affordable to premium and deliver varying efficiency levels within the price range.
We suggest the Maxeon panels overall for peak efficiency ratings — up to an industry-leading 22.8% — but these will drive up your installation costs the most. If you want to save money on your installation and still want good quality, the SolarEdge panels will likely suit you best.
Financing Options
RevoluSun Hawaii is one of the very few local companies that accepts cash, solar loans and solar leases, and it claims to be the only local company that entertains solar leases.
We suggest going with a cash purchase or a loan through the third-party financiers with which the company works. However, a lease is a decent low-cost option with no down payment requirements and few, if any, payments over time. Leases save you less in the long run, though, and they don’t let you take the federal tax credit.
Warranty Information
RevoluSun Hawaii’s panels come with the standard 25-year equipment warranty plus a slightly better-than-average 25-year production warranty.
These are both great to have, but what we really love is the 20-year roof leak guarantee the company offers. Since Hawaii sees a lot of rainfall each year, this warranty package assures that you’ll avoid equipment and property damage. Since your panels will pay for themselves in an average of six years, that’s 14 years of guaranteed system performance where you can profit from net energy savings.
Advertisement
This site receives compensation from the companies featured in this listing, which may impact where and how products appear. This listing doesn’t feature all companies, products, or offers that may be available.
Outstanding Regional Installer
Facts and Figures: RevoluSun Hawaii
| EcoWatch Rating |
|---|
| Better Business Bureau (BBB) Rating |
| Average Cost ($-$$$$$) |
| Solar Services |
| 5 |
| A+ |
| $$$ |
| Solar Panels, Solar Batteries, HVAC Services, Energy-Efficiency Audits, System Monitoring |
Apollo Energy
Great Social Impact
Regional Service
Average cost
Pros
- Women-owned
- Bilingual service associates
- Certified B Corp
- NABCEP-certified technicians
- Makes charitable contributions
Cons
- Relatively young company
- No leases or PPAs
Eco Solar is a certified Master SunPower Dealer with over 15 years of local experience. It’s highly trusted and reputable, making it the best local option, in our opinion.
The company is quite expensive, but we feel that the quality of the equipment is unmatched and well worth the money.
Why We Chose Eco Solar as the Best Local Installer
Eco Solar has been in business since 2008, so it has 15 years of experience working exclusively in Hawaii. Not only are the technicians aware of the specific energy needs of homeowners in your area, but they’re also experts when it comes to solar incentives. They can help you file for local tax credits and incentives to bring down the effective cost of your system.
Eco Solar only works with Maxeon panels, which have the highest efficiency and the best performance specifications in the industry. We recommend these panels above any others in Hawaii, as they will all but guarantee you offset your energy bills and tend to last longer than most other brands.
As a small local company, Eco Solar is also able to maintain a focus on quality customer service. As evidence of its propensity for constant communication and customer care, it has a stellar 4.7-star rating on Google Reviews.
What We Don’t Like
Since Eco Solar only works with Maxeon panels, which are some of the most expensive in the industry, the overall cost of going solar with this provider is above average. This isn’t a huge drawback since the smaller system size in Hawaii begets one of the lowest total installation costs in the country, but it’s still something to consider.
Other than the price, the only downside is the limited service area. Eco Solar only serves the island of Oahu, so many Hawaiians won’t be able to choose this provider.
Solar Products
As a SunPower-exclusive dealer, Eco Solar only installs Maxeon panels. These are what we consider the best in the industry, and the high efficiency rating is likely to maximize your energy production and the savings you see on your utility bills.
With that being said, though, we do prefer installers that carry a few different brands, as a variety is more likely to accommodate individual needs, especially in the way of keeping installation costs down.
In addition to Maxeon panels, Eco Solar provides access to the following products and services:
- SunPower SunVault (previously called the Equinox battery system)
- Tesla Powerwalls
- The MySunPower and Tesla solar monitoring apps
Financing Options
Since Eco Solar is backed by SunPower, it accepts the same payment options: cash, loans, leases and PPAs. These are all of the major ways to pay for solar panels, making it one of the most accessible installers in the state.
We suggest a cash purchase if you can make it work, which is less likely with a more expensive company like Eco Solar. A loan is our other preferred payment option. Leases and PPAs are great to have as low-cost options for those who can’t make a cash purchase work or qualify for a loan, but we don’t recommend them in general.
Warranty Information
As a SunPower dealer, Eco Solar is able to provide the outstanding warranty coverage you’d get from SunPower itself. That includes 25 years of coverage for your equipment, a 25-year power production guarantee and a 25-year labor guarantee.
This is one of the most appealing warranty packages in the industry, let alone Hawaii. Specifically, the labor warranty helps protect your system from the above-average rainfall in the area and any damage that might occur as a result.
Advertisement
This site receives compensation from the companies featured in this listing, which may impact where and how products appear. This listing doesn’t feature all companies, products, or offers that may be available.
Great Social Impact
Facts and Figures: Apollo Energy
| EcoWatch Rating |
|---|
| Better Business Bureau (BBB) Rating |
| Average Cost ($-$$$$$) |
| Solar Services |
| 4.5 |
| A+ |
| $$$ |
| Solar Panels, Solar Batteries, Removal & Reinstallation, Roofing Services |
Rising Sun Solar
Solar Veteran
Regional Service
Average cost
Pros
- Many years of experience
- Competitive pricing
- Locally owned and operated
Cons
- Relatively short workmanship warranty
Rising Sun Solar has been serving Hawaii since 1986, so it has over three decades of local experience and expertise behind its services.
The company only offers a five-year labor warranty, which isn’t ideal, and it has limited financing options. However, we still feel it’s an excellent option overall.
Why We Chose Rising Sun Solar as the Company With the Most Local Experience
Solar is massively beneficial in Hawaii, but the local solar industry is really just starting to pick up. With the recent bump in demand, a good portion of the providers that service the area are younger. That is not the case with Rising Sun Solar, which has two decades of experience.
Not only does the company have some serious longevity behind it, but its technicians are also locally experienced and trained. They fully understand the specific local energy needs of Hawaii residents, and they can help you file for as many incentive programs as are available in the area.
In addition to local experience, the company holds certifications from several important organizations, like the Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA) and the American Solar Energy Society (ASES). These certifications help ensure a professional installation that will last and continue saving you money for years to come.
What We Don’t Like
One pretty major drawback to Rising Sun is that the workmanship warranty only lasts for five years. This is only half of the industry average, and it’s about a third of what we’d ideally like to see in a higher-risk area like Hawaii.
Aside from the workmanship warranty, though, there’s not much we can say about Rising Sun that isn’t positive.
Solar Products
When you go solar with Rising Sun, you get access to Maxeon and QCells panels, which are two of our most highly recommended brands for home solar systems.
The Maxeon panels are the way to go, in our opinion, as they deliver above-average energy production that will help insulate you from having to pay massive retail prices for power. The QCells panels are significantly more affordable, though, and they still deliver great efficiency and durability.
In addition to these panels, you can also get the following products and services from Rising Sun Solar:
- SunVault solar batteries
- Tesla Powerwalls
- Generac solar batteries
- Tesla solar roof
- The MySunPower, Tesla and Enphase solar monitoring mobile apps
Financing Options
Like most local companies, Rising Sun Solar only accepts cash payments and solar loans. Paying in cash will lead to the shortest panel payback period and the greatest energy savings over time. However, it’s far less accessible than a loan because you have to pay the entire system price upfront.
A loan will include interest that extends your payback period and reduces your savings over time a bit, but we still think it’s a worthwhile option. Plus, it’s far more accessible, as most have no down payment requirements.
Warranty Information
Rising Sun Solar includes the standard 25-year equipment warranty with its panels and a 25-year production guarantee that’s a little better than what you’d find from most competitors.
Unfortunately, the labor warranty only lasts for five years, which is half as long as most companies offer. In an area like Hawaii, where above-average rain can put rooftop systems at increased risk of damage, we’d really like to see above-average workmanship warranty coverage.
Advertisement
This site receives compensation from the companies featured in this listing, which may impact where and how products appear. This listing doesn’t feature all companies, products, or offers that may be available.
Solar Veteran
Facts and Figures: Rising Sun Solar
| EcoWatch Rating |
|---|
| Better Business Bureau (BBB) Rating |
| Average Cost ($-$$$$$) |
| Solar Services |
| 4.5 |
| A+ |
| $$ |
| Solar Panels, Solar Batteries, Solar Roof Shingles, System Monitoring, Maintenance & Repairs |
Watch Below: Learn What Hawaii’s Solar Tax Credit Is And How Much You Can Save
How to Save Money When Hiring a Solar Installer in Hawaii
Hawaii property owners have access to some of the most affordable solar panel systems in the country. Although the average per-watt solar price in Hawaii — $3.39 — is close to the U.S. average of $3.33, the typical system size a homeowner needs is just 5.5 kilowatts (kW). That puts the typical system cost before credits at $18,645, or closer to $13,052 after the federal tax credit is factored in.
Despite this total sitting well below the U.S. average of $29,970 — or $20,979 after the tax credit — Hawaii residents can still look for ways to save money on installation. Below is a list of things you can do to keep installation costs down.
- Take advantage of the wealth of benefit programs available in Hawaii
- Consider installing solar batteries
- Choose high-efficiency panels
Take Advantage of Hawaii Benefit Programs
The best thing you can do to reduce your upfront and long-term cost of converting to solar in Hawaii is to take advantage of the benefit programs available. These include tax credits, tax exemptions and rebate programs that lower the effective cost of solar equipment.
In the table below, we’ll include a list of the solar incentives available to Hawaii homeowners and a description of how each can save you money.
| Incentive | Description |
| Federal Solar Investment Tax Credit (ITC) | This is a credit for 30% of your entire solar power system cost, which gets applied to your income tax liability. In Hawaii, the ITC averages out to $5,594, which is a massive benefit. |
| Solar and Wind Energy Credit | This is a state tax credit that provides an additional credit of 35% of your solar energy system value of up to $5,000 to your tax liability. If you can take this, that brings your total credit — including the ITC — up to over $10,500. |
| City of Honolulu Real Property Tax Exemption | Normally, when you install solar panels, your home value goes up, and your taxes follow.5 This exemption prevents your taxes from increasing, which saves you hundreds or thousands over the life of your system. |
| GEMS Hawaii | The Green Energy Money Saver (GEMS) program helps make solar accessible and affordable to low-income solar customers. It brings down upfront costs and lets you pay off the system via charges to your electricity bills. |
| GreenSun Hawaii | This is a financing program in Hawaii that helps keep solar accessible to more individuals. The program keeps interest rates and down payment requirements for solar loans as low as possible. |
| Hawaiian Electric Company (HECO) Battery Bonus | This perk was a rebate over time for installing a solar battery with your panels. It provided cashback amounts of up to $850 per kW of battery storage installed.6 The program reached its maximum capacity in 2024. A successor to this program will be available from HECO on March 1, 2024, though, called the Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) program. |
Consider Installing Solar Batteries
Hawaii residents can benefit greatly from installing solar batteries.
Not only can many Hawaii residents take advantage of the battery cashback program to keep costs down, but batteries can also offer an alternative to net metering. Net energy metering (NEM) is a billing policy mandated by many states that lets you overproduce energy with your panels and use the credits earned to pay down future electric bills.
Unfortunately, NEM is no longer mandated in Hawaii, so many utility companies don’t offer it. However, if you install a solar battery, you can store your excess energy for later use. This is especially useful in Hawaii, where energy rates are nearly triple the national average and the highest of any state in the country.7
In case that’s not enough to convince you, Hawaii experiences a high occurrence of power outages due to the demand on the aging electric grid. Solar batteries can help you maintain electricity even through blackout conditions.
Install a High-Efficiency Panel Brand
There are a wide variety of panel brands available for residential solar systems. One of the most significant differences between these brands is the efficiency rating, which tells you how much of the sunlight hitting the panel will be converted into electricity.
In Hawaii, it’s usually most cost-effective to install a high-efficiency solar panel brand, like Maxeon panels. There are two reasons for this:
- Hawaii homes are some of the smallest in the country, which means roof space is naturally limited. High-efficiency panels allow you to get more energy production for the square footage you have available. While they might be more expensive upfront, they will usually pay for themselves over time.
- Hawaii residents pay more for energy than residents in any other state, with a cost per kilowatt-hour (kWh) of over 40 cents, and see the highest energy bills in the country.7 Panels with a high efficiency rating help offset utility bills, maximizing your savings over time and helping to pay back your system more quickly.
Will Solar Increase Your Home Value in Hawaii?
Yes! Fitting your home with PV panels is a great way to boost its value, as estimates from Zillow suggest that the typical solar system will raise your property value by around 4.1%.8 Given the average home value of $840,748, that’s an increase of $34,470.5
Some reports suggest that home values in Hawaii have gone up over 20% in the past few years, which means the impact solar has on your value is also growing.9 Larger cities like Oahu and Honolulu have seen the greatest growth rate of the return on investment (ROI) for solar, but other areas are also benefiting.
Below are some of the most costly cities in Hawaii, which naturally see the greatest ROI in terms of the boosted property value:
- Wailea
- Haiku-Pauwela
- Honolulu
- Kailua
- Kula
- Laie
- Mililani
- Pearl City
Should Hawaii Residents Hire a Professional Solar Installer or DIY?
If you’ve done any research on DIY solar panel installations, the relatively low cost compared to professional installation has probably caught your attention. But DIY solar installations in Hawaii aren’t as appealing as they may seem.
Below are a few reasons why we recommend having a professional complete your solar installation, rather than doing it yourself.
- Professionally installed panels are more efficient.
- Sizing your system appropriately is crucial, given the high local energy costs.
- Some areas in Hawaii are exposed to roof leaks, which are more common with DIY installations.
Professional Panels Are Better Suited for Hawaii
We mentioned above that high-efficiency panels are best for use in Hawaii. This is because the average roof size in the Aloha State is smaller than in every other state, so the available space for PV panels can be limited.
Given that Hawaii residents also have the highest energy bills in the country, taking full advantage of the roof space you do have is essential for maximizing long-term solar savings. DIY panel brands almost always have a lower efficiency than professionally installed options, like Maxeon, Panasonic and Tesla, which can negatively impact the price.
While installing solar panels yourself will usually save you money upfront, you might end up with lower savings in the long run due to lower efficiency.
Getting the System Size Wrong Can Be Costly
Since the electricity in Hawaii is so expensive, it’s crucial the PV system on your home is sized appropriately for your energy needs. Failing to get the size right can lead to reduced energy savings, longer panel payback periods and other significant downsides.
Having a professional install your system will cost more than a DIY solar installation, but the technician will consider a variety of factors to get the system size right. These include:
- The direction your roof faces
- Where in Hawaii your home is located, as heavy cloud coverage is common on the windward sides of the mountains
- The size of your roof and the number of panels it can hold
- Your average monthly energy consumption
- And more
You’re much more likely to get a system size that isn’t suitable for your home if you install panels yourself, which could lead to reduced savings over time.
Roof Leaks Are More Common With DIY Solar Projects
Some areas in Hawaii experience rainfall that is well above average for the U.S.10 One of the most common issues solar customers experience is leaking where roof penetrations occur during panel installation.
While professional installers can often install panels in a way that minimizes this risk, you’re more likely to make a critical mistake if you install the panels yourself. Any error could lead to significant leaking and water damage, especially during Hawaii’s rainy seasons. Ultimately, the repair costs could outweigh the money you saved by doing a DIY installation in the first place.
Plus, professional companies often include workmanship warranties to cover issues that arise from an improper installation. This is something you won’t get if you do the work yourself.
What Should Hawaii Homeowners Look For in a Solar Installer?
There are a few things we recommend you look for in a solar installation company in Hawaii that will help ensure you have a positive experience and save the most money possible. We’ll list a few of the most important factors below and explain why each is so important.
- Efficient panel brands
- Solar services offered
- Years in business
Efficiency of the Panel Brands Offered
First, we recommend narrowing down solar installers by the panel brands they offer. Hawaii residents have the highest electricity rates and energy bills in the country. With the smallest average home sizes in the nation, many residents need to make sure the square footage of their roofs is used optimally.
In most cases, that means installing high-efficiency panel brands. These produce more energy per square foot, and while they might be more costly, they can also lead to greater solar savings in the long run. Brands like Maxeon, Panasonic, Tesla, Q-Cells, REC, Silfab, Canadian Solar and Trina Solar should all serve you well.
Services Provided
As mentioned above, we often recommend installing solar batteries in Hawaii. Since there is no statewide net energy metering policy, any excess energy your system generates will just go to your utility company with no benefit to you. Plus, you’ll still have to pay high electricity rates to pull energy from the grid when your panels aren’t producing, like at night or on especially cloudy days.
Installing a battery lets you make use of overproduction and is more likely to move your utility bills closer to $0 per month.
As such, we recommend choosing an installer that can tackle panels and batteries. Most companies in Hawaii do, but some only provide access to PV panels.
Years of Experience
Finally, we suggest looking for a company with at least five years of experience or more. Solar has increased in popularity in Hawaii over the last few years so more and more companies are popping up to keep up with demand.
Unfortunately, younger companies may be more likely to go out of business and void your warranties in the process. They also tend to have technicians with less experience, which can lead to issues with the installation in some cases.
Methodology: How We Reviewed the Best Solar Companies in Hawaii
In reviewing the 75+ solar installers that operate in Hawaii, we took dozens of hours to research what each provider brought to the table, where they excelled and if any of them fell short of customer expectations in any area. We used six main factors to rank companies, which we’ll explain below. We’ll also include our weighting system so that you know how much emphasis we put on each criterion.
- Local reputation and reviews (20%): With over 75 installers operating in the area, there are few things more important than a company’s reputation in the industry. Whether a company is young or old, expensive or affordable, we read through dozens of customer reviews to see exactly how customers are actually treated. This helps us weed out companies that are less likely to meet your expectations and deliver poor customer service.
- Pricing and financing (20%): Hawaii’s all-in solar conversion costs are some of the lowest in the country, but the average price is still quite high for many customers to afford outright. We prioritize companies that maintain average or below-average prices for equipment, as well as those that maintain accessibility by accepting a variety of payment options.
- Services offered (20%): Solar batteries are more crucial in Hawaii than in most states because of the high energy prices and the lack of a net metering policy. We do our best to include only companies that offer batteries in addition to panels. We also prioritize installers that offer EV chargers, energy audits and other energy efficiency upgrades, as many Hawaiians are committed to being more sustainable and also need to save as much as possible on their electric bills, which are some of the highest in the country.
- Warranty coverage (20%): We try to promote installers that offer solid warranty coverage, which usually involves a minimum of 25 years of coverage for the equipment and efficiency, as well as ten years of coverage for labor. We give precedence to installers that have even longer workmanship warranties, as Hawaii’s above-average rainfall can pose issues for improperly installed PV panels.
- Company experience (10%): Since Hawaii’s local solar industry is really just starting to boom, a lot of companies are entering the space to capitalize. Younger companies aren’t necessarily worse than older ones, but they are more likely to go out of business and void your warranty in the process. They’re also generally less experienced and may not have the resources to provide good customer service.
- Brand quality (10%): Finally, we like to push companies that offer a variety of panel brands and battery brands. Having options is always good, as it gives customers the opportunity to optimize for what’s most important to them.
Read More About Going Solar in Hawaii
- Is Solar Worth It in Hawaii?
- Hawaii Solar Incentives Guide
- Find Cost Savings on Solar Panels in Hawaii
- What to Know Before Buying Solar Panels in Hawaii
The cost information presented in this article is derived from a comprehensive analysis, incorporating data from multiple industry sources. The average cost per watt per state was calculated based on figures from Consumer Affairs, Energy Sage, and Berkeley Lab’s Electricity Markets & Policy Department. Additionally, monthly energy consumption and the average monthly cost of electricity were sourced from the U.S. Energy Information Administration, ensuring a well-rounded and accurate representation of the information presented.
FAQ: Best Solar Companies in Hawaii
Consumers trust the EcoWatch brand when it comes to solar companies, so we get a lot of questions about the best installers. Here are a few of the most frequently asked questions we’ve received, along with our responses. If you have specific questions that aren’t answered here, reach out to our team of solar experts at solar@ecowatch.com.
It’s difficult to say which solar provider will be the most affordable because solar installation costs can vary based on your household. EcoWatch recommends getting consultations and free quotes from multiple companies to compare installation and solar panel costs. You should also compare the financing options we’ve listed for each company above and compare them to your own needs.
Also, don’t forget to ask each installer what solar perks may be available to you. Any homeowner who installs solar panels in Hawaii is eligible for a federal tax credit (also called the solar investment tax credit), as well as state tax credits like the Renewable Energy Technologies Income Tax Credit (RETITC). Hawaii also offers the Green Energy Money Saver On-Bill Program (GEM$) which makes alternate energy systems more affordable to low-income homeowners and renters. The Hawaiian Electric Company also offers a top-notch net energy metering program.
Rising Sun Solar was founded in 1986, and although it didn’t install its first solar PV system until 2003, it’s still one of the most experienced solar installation companies in Hawaii.
According to the SEIA, there are 114 solar companies in Hawaii, including 80 that install solar panels.11
In our opinion, the solar equipment and services offered by a company are the most important factors to consider. High-efficiency panels will usually save you far more on your energy bills over time.
Plus, companies that install batteries are preferred because having an energy storage solution means you can effectively enjoy net metering, even though it’s not a mandated policy in Hawaii.
Some readers may be surprised to see our rankings don’t include more popular brands, like Vivint Solar. We intentionally chose to leave some companies out based on poor customer service specifically in Hawaii, ongoing lawsuits with customers or other risk factors.
Related articles
Advertisement
This site receives compensation from the companies featured in this listing, which may impact where and how products appear. This listing doesn’t feature all companies, products, or offers that may be available.
Comparing authorized solar partners
Average cost
Pros
Cons
BBB Rating
Year founded
Service Area
Brands of Solar Equipment Offered
Warranty Coverage
-
- Regional
- Many financing options
- Some reported issues with customer service
- Some reported issues with door-to-door sales
A-Best for Leasing