Choosing the right solar installer in Hawaii can feel overwhelming. There are so many questions to answer before making the decision, you can spend hours researching. That’s why we’ve simplified it for you.
Our guide highlights Hawaii’s top-rated solar companies, combining Solar Power Systems expert insights with feedback from locals who’ve made the switch.
No need to surf the web looking for information crumbs to have the big picture. Years in business, reviews from real customers, online reputation, panel brands, warranty, social media overview, and more – we have it all. The hard work is done to help you make the right decision.
We prioritize companies committed to long-term service and reliability. Here’s our list of Hawaii’s most trusted solar installers:
RevoluSun review 660 Ala Moana Blvd Ste 220A Honolulu, HI 96813
Mālama Solar review 1050 Queen Street #100, Honolulu HI, 96814
With an overall third-party rating of 4+ and positive feedback across more than 10 reviews from different platforms, Malama Solar read more…
Independent Energy Hawaii review 1200 Ala Moana Blvd. #380 Honolulu, HI 96814
Independent Energy Hawaii is rewarded with our Expert Choice badge, serving an exclusive area of fewer than 1 state. With read more…
Mālama Solar review 590 Paiea St. Honolulu, Hawaii 96819
With an overall third-party rating of 4+ and positive feedback across more than 10 reviews from different platforms, Malama Solar read more…
Mālama Solar review 590 Paiea St, Honolulu HI, 96819
With an overall third-party rating of 4+ and positive feedback across more than 10 reviews from different platforms, Malama Solar read more…
HI POWER Solar review 98-723 Kuahao Pl. Ste. A-13, Pearl City HI, 96782
With an overall third-party rating of 4+ and positive feedback across more than 10 reviews from different platforms, HI POWER read more…
Family First Solar review 590 Farrington Hwy #210, Kapolei, HI 96707, United States
Family First Solar is rewarded with our Expert Choice badge, serving an exclusive area of fewer than 1 state. With read more…
Hawaii Unified review 84-1170 Farrington Hwy., Waianae, Hawaii 96792, United States
With an overall third-party rating of 4+ and positive feedback across more than 10 reviews from different platforms, Hawaii Unified read more…
Sun King Inc review 365 Hoohana Bay 6a, Kahului, HI 96732, Kahului, Hawaii, United States
With an overall third-party rating of 4+ and positive feedback across more than 10 reviews from different platforms, Sun King read more…
WikiWiki Solar & Electric review 330 Hoohana St Unit B14, Kahului, HI 96732, United States
With an overall third-party rating of 4+ and positive feedback across more than 10 reviews from different platforms, WikiWiki Solar read more…
Rising Sun Solar review 269 Papa Pl, Kahului Hawaii, 96732
With an overall third-party rating of 4+ and positive feedback across more than 10 reviews from different platforms, Rising Sun read more…
Rising Sun Solar review 810 Kokoma Road Suite 160, Haiku HI, 96708
With an overall third-party rating of 4+ and positive feedback across more than 10 reviews from different platforms, Rising Sun read more…
Rising Sun Solar review 810 Kokomo Road Suite 160 Haiku, HI 96708
With an overall third-party rating of 4+ and positive feedback across more than 10 reviews from different platforms, Rising Sun read more…
Rising Sun Solar review 1520 Haleukana St, Lihue HI, 96766
With an overall third-party rating of 4+ and positive feedback across more than 10 reviews from different platforms, Rising Sun read more…
Renewable Energy Services Inc. review 45-487 Lehua Street, Honokaa, Hawaii 96727, United States
With an overall third-party rating of 4+ and positive feedback across more than 10 reviews from different platforms, Renewable Energy read more…
Average Solar Panel Cost in Hawaii
If you’re thinking about going solar in Hawaii, you’re probably wondering how much solar panels cost and what it’ll actually cost you. The good news? While the upfront numbers might seem high, the combination of federal and state tax credits brings costs down significantly—at least through the end of 2025.
What You’ll Pay for Solar Panels in Hawaii
| System Size | Cost Before Incentives | After Federal Tax Credit (30%) | After Federal & State Credits | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4 kW | $12,522 – $13,958 | $8,765 – $9,771 | $3,765 – $4,771 | |
| 5 kW | $15,653 – $17,447 | $10,957 – $12,213 | $5,957 – $7,213 | |
| 6 kW | $18,783 – $20,937 | $13,148 – $14,656 | $8,148 – $9,656 | |
| 8 kW | $25,044 – $27,916 | $17,531 – $19,541 | $12,531 – $14,541 | |
| Pricing Disclaimer: The solar panel prices shown are estimates based on data collected from online sources as of October 2025. Actual costs may vary based on your location, system specifications, and installer. | ||||
Right now, the cost to install solar panels in Hawaii runs roughly $3.13 to $3.49 per watt for a complete installation. Most Hawaiian homes need a 5 kW system, which runs between $15,653 and $17,447 before any tax credits kick in. After the 30% federal credit, that drops to about $10,957 to $12,213. Stack the state credit on top, and you’re down to $5,957 to $7,213 out of pocket.
Why is the cost of solar panel installation higher here than on the mainland? Shipping equipment to the islands, higher labor rates, and more complex permitting all add to the price tag. But here’s the thing—Hawaii’s electricity rates are so astronomical that residential solar panels still make financial sense.
Smaller Systems Work in Hawaii
You’ll notice these system sizes are smaller than what you’d see in most mainland states. That’s because Hawaii residents use way less electricity—only 544 kWh per month on average, which is actually the lowest in the country. A 4 to 5.5 kW system is typically enough to cover most of your needs.
Should You Add Battery Storage?
Most installations here include batteries, and there’s a good reason for that. Since Hawaii phased out traditional net metering back in 2015, you can’t just send excess power to the grid and get full credit anymore. Batteries let you store that energy and use it later, which is especially valuable during evening hours when the sun’s not shining.
Adding batteries will increase your total cost by $10,000 to $15,000, putting complete solar-plus-storage systems in the $20,000 to $40,000 range before incentives. It’s a bigger investment upfront, but it gives you real energy independence.
Solar Incentives and Tax Credits in Hawaii
Hawaii’s solar incentives situation is strong right now, but there’s a major deadline coming up that affects everyone considering solar panels in Hawaii.
Federal Solar Investment Tax Credit (ITC)
This is the big one. The federal government gives you back 30% of your total system cost as a tax credit. That includes everything—panels, inverters, batteries, installation labor, permits, the whole package. If you can’t use the full credit in one year, you can roll it over to future tax returns.
Here’s what you need to know: Your system has to be installed and operational by December 31, 2025. After that? The credit disappears completely. Congress passed the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, which President Trump signed into law on July 4, 2025. This legislation eliminates the residential solar tax credit starting January 1, 2026. There’s no phase-down period—it just ends.
Hawaii State Tax Credit
Hawaii offers its own 35% tax credit on top of the federal one, capped at $5,000 for single-family homes. Multi-family properties get 35% or $350 per unit, whichever is less. Unlike the federal credit, this one isn’t going away.
The state credit is pretty flexible. You can roll over any unused portion indefinitely, or you can take a 30% reduction and get a refund for whatever you can’t use in the first year. When you combine both credits, you’re cutting your costs by up to 65%.
What Happened to Net Metering?
If you’ve heard older solar stories from Hawaii, they probably mention net metering. That program ended for new customers in October 2015. Existing customers still have it, but if you’re installing now, you’ve got three options:
- Smart Export: You can send excess power to the grid, but you won’t get retail rates for it. Instead, you’ll earn about 7 cents per kWh during the day, 18 cents during evening peak hours, and 13 cents overnight. That’s way less than the 39 to 42 cents you’re paying for power from the grid.
- Customer Self Supply: This is the non-export option. Everything you generate stays on your property—either gets used immediately or goes into batteries. You can’t send anything to the grid. The upside? You get expedited permitting.
- Bring Your Own Device (BYOD): If you’ve got a battery system, you can participate in this program and get $100 per committed kW upfront, plus $5 per committed kW every month. It’s way less generous than the old Battery Bonus Program, but it’s something.
Financing Options
The state runs a program called Green Energy Money $aver (GEM$) that offers on-bill financing at a fixed 5.5% interest rate for up to 25 years. What’s nice about this is there’s no credit check or income verification, so more homeowners can qualify.
Electricity Rates in Hawaii
Let’s talk about why solar makes so much sense here. Hawaii has the most expensive electricity in the entire United States—and it’s not even close.
As of 2025, residential rates are running between 39.36 and 42.27 cents per kWh. The national average? Just 16.07 cents. Your typical monthly bill here is $203 to $210, even though Hawaii residents use far less electricity than the average American household.
These sky-high rates are exactly why solar pays for itself so quickly in Hawaii. Even without full net metering credits, most systems hit payback in 5 to 7 years. After that, you’re essentially getting free electricity for the remaining 18 to 25 years of your panels’ lifespan.
Specific Considerations for Hawaii Solar
Solar Resource
Hawaii’s location near the equator means you’re getting excellent sun exposure year-round. Most of the islands see between 4.5 and 6.5 kWh/m²/day of solar irradiance, though this varies depending on whether you’re on the windward or leeward side of an island, your elevation, and how the trade winds affect local cloud patterns.
What’s great about Hawaii is the consistency. You don’t have the dramatic seasonal swings you see on the mainland. Year-to-year variations in solar production are only about 2%, which makes your energy production very predictable.
Climate Factors
The tropical climate is mostly a positive for solar. You get steady production all year, you never have to worry about snow covering your panels, and temperatures stay in a range that keeps panels operating efficiently. More than 16% of Oahu residents already have solar, and the state’s committed to reaching 100% renewable energy by 2045.
The challenges come from the salt air and humidity. You need corrosion-resistant hardware and mounting systems, and regular cleaning helps prevent salt buildup on the panels. Make sure your inverter is properly protected from moisture too.
Permitting and Interconnection
Getting your permits depends on which island you’re on. You’ll need a county building permit, a county electrical permit, and an interconnection agreement from Hawaiian Electric that gets conditionally approved before you start construction.
On the neighbor islands—Maui, Kauai, and the Big Island—you’re typically looking at 2 to 4 months from application to completed installation. Oahu has historically taken 4 to 6 months, but right now it’s worse than that.
If you go with the Customer Self Supply option (no grid export), you can sometimes get expedited review. Some counties also offer self-certification for qualifying installations.
Timeline Expectations
How Long Does Installation Take?
Once you decide to move forward, here’s what the timeline typically looks like:
- Before installation (1-3 months): Your installer will assess your property and design the system in about 1 to 2 weeks. Then comes the waiting—permit applications and utility interconnection approval take 2 to 8 weeks, longer on Oahu right now. Equipment ordering adds another 2 to 4 weeks.
- Installation (1-2 weeks): The actual physical work goes pretty quickly. Panel installation and mounting takes 3 to 7 days. Electrical connections and system commissioning add another 1 to 3 days.
- After installation (1-2 months): You’ll need building and electrical inspections from the county, which takes 1 to 3 weeks. Hawaiian Electric does their own inspection, adding 1 to 2 weeks. Then you’re waiting for the utility to install your new bi-directional meter—anywhere from 1 to 4 weeks. Once that meter goes in, your system gets activated the same day.
Start to finish, you’re looking at 4 to 6 months under normal circumstances. Hawaii County projects are running closer to 3 months.
Are Solar Panels Worth It in Hawaii?
Even with net metering gone and the federal tax credit about to disappear, wondering “how much do solar panels cost in Hawaii” and “are solar panels worth it in Hawaii” are questions with clear answers: while solar panels prices may seem high initially, they still make financial sense in Hawaii. Here’s why:
Your electricity costs are brutal. At nearly 2.5 times the national average, you’re hemorrhaging money on power bills. Solar generates immediate savings even when you’re only getting 7 to 18 cents per kWh for exported energy instead of the full retail rate.
The state tax credit isn’t going anywhere, so you’ll still get 35% back (up to $5,000) on installations after 2025. That helps, though obviously not as much as the combined federal and state credits do.
Batteries give you real energy independence. When the power goes out, you’ve still got electricity. And Hawaii’s grid infrastructure isn’t exactly known for perfect reliability.
Even systems installed in 2026 and beyond typically pay for themselves in 7 to 10 years. Your panels will keep producing for 25 to 30 years after that. Lifetime savings usually hit $40,000 to $75,000 or more—you’re talking about tens of thousands of dollars staying in your pocket instead of going to the utility company.
There’s also the environmental angle. Hawaii imports most of its energy, and the state’s serious about transitioning to 100% renewables by 2045. Going solar means you’re part of that transition.
For 2025 specifically, this is your last shot at the combined 65% cost reduction from both tax credits. If you can somehow get in under the wire before December 31, you’ll never regret it. After that, understanding the cost of solar panels in Hawaii and how much does it cost to install solar panels remains important—solar is still worthwhile, just less dramatically so.
How Much Can Solar Panels Save Me in Hawaii?
Finding out how much you can save on solar in Hawaii is not a straightforward answer. It depends on several factors, including the solar billing of your utility company, the size of a potential solar system on your roof, and your household’s energy consumption. While most solar installers will try to cover all your electricity needs, the actual savings will depend on your home’s unique conditions. To get a personal estimate of how much you could potentially save by going solar, fill out a simple form on our website, use Google’s Project Sunroof solar savings calculator, or consult with a couple of local solar installation companies for a personalized savings calculation.
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Solar Financing Explained
You can pay for solar panels in a couple of ways:
- Cash
- Installer solar loans
- Personal loans
- Cash-out refinance or HELOC
- Solar Leases or Power Purchase Agreements (PPA)
First, there is a cash purchase, which in most cases provides the best price and long-term savings, but the upfront payment is not always what you can afford. If you want to own your solar panels and don’t have about $15,000 to $20,000 in the bank, you’ll have to choose solar panel financing.
You can consider a personal loan, a home equity line of credit, or a solar loan offered by the solar company. However, keep in mind that these loans come with interest and additional fees. Solar loans often are tied to dealer fees, which can increase the total cost of your solar system by 20% or more in exchange for a lower interest rate. To ensure you get the best possible deal, it is wise to compare the dealer fees and interest rates offered by different installers. This way, you can make an informed decision based on the most favorable terms available.
Some companies offer solar leases or PPAs that require zero upfront cost. But in such case, you don’t own solar panels and you are not eligible for any solar rebates or the federal tax credit. And, because you have to pay the solar company monthly, your total solar savings will be lower. Ask for detailed savings calculations from a solar installer to decide on the best option. In most cases, you will still be paying less for electricity.
Frequently Asked Questions
How We Rank Solar Installers
Our main goal is to provide homeowners like you with top-rated solar companies you can trust. Our solar experts analyzed thousands of local and nationwide installers to get to the bottom of who is best in a specific location. The solar company ranking methodology is based on gathering input from homeowner surveys, consulting with industry experts, and extensive research into the solar energy market. Here are the things we believe are the most important to consider when choosing a solar company.
In short, here’s how we pick top installers:
– Company that has been in business for over five years as it indicates stability, reliability, and successful installations.
– Local solar companies over big national ones covering multiple areas as they can provide better personal attention and know more about the solar needs and regulations in their area.
– Companies with hands-on experience and a wealth of projects under their belt are more likely to deliver efficient and timely installations that cater to specific customer needs.
– Companies that handle their own installations instead of outsourcing to subcontractors ensure a higher caliber of work and nurture a culture of excellence and accountability in service.
– Select a company that has a good overall reputation and reviews on sites like SolarReviews, BBB, Google Maps, and Yelp.
– The company is licensed, insured, and holds relevant certifications such as NABCEP certification.
– Companies that offer a wide selection of high-quality solar panels and related products and work with reputable brands.
– Companies that provide flexible financing options such as solar loans, leases, or power purchase agreements.
– Installers that provide substantial workmanship warranties and system performance guarantees.
Read more:
Our Methodology
What Made Us Choose Sources for Expert Score?
How We Classify Solar Installers: What Matters Most?
What to Look for In a Solar Company
To ensure that you partner with a great provider that can meet your needs of going solar, look for the following:
– Make sure the solar installer has industry-standard certifications, such as those from the North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners (NABCEP), indicating that they meet the gold standard in renewable energy installations. Also, verify if they are licensed, bonded, and insured for residential solar projects in your area. If subcontractors are involved, check their credentials as well.
– Prioritize installers with a proven track record in solar installations, ideally with at least 5+ years of experience. Ask about the number of systems they’ve installed and their project portfolio. A competent installer should openly discuss the solar panels, inverters, and batteries they use if they help to take advantage of local solar incentives and rebates, and warranty coverage specifics.
– Your installer should be forthcoming about the installation process and answer any questions you might have, like “How many solar panels will I need? Why?”, “Can you give me a detailed cost breakdown based on my energy consumption?”, “What solar panel brands do you install? Why?”, etc.. They should also be transparent about their use of subcontractors, detailing their roles and how their work will be supervised.
– A preliminary evaluation of your roof’s condition is the groundwork. The installer should advise on necessary repairs to ensure it’s ready for solar panel installation and clarify responsibilities for any potential roof damage during the process. Discuss aesthetic concerns, such as the placement of solar panels around roof vents or the possibility of relocating vents for a more visually appealing setup.
– Check the installer’s reputation through online reviews and testimonials. They should be able to connect you with past customers willing to share their experiences. Personal recommendations from friends or neighbors who’ve gone solar can also be invaluable.
– Solar installation costs can vary widely, so obtaining multiple quotes is advisable. Experienced installers will adjust their offers to your home’s specifics—size, energy needs, etc. For an objective cost comparison, calculate the price per watt of the proposed system, giving you a standardized basis to evaluate different quotes.
Should You Choose a Local Solar Installer or a Big National Company?
Always choose a local solar company over a big national corporation. Small local companies that operate in a distinct local area are better than multi-state and national solar companies and large corporations. It’s the small local companies who get the best reviews on our website, and it’s the national multistate companies who get very poor reviews. Why so, you may ask?
Solar is a local service business, for the most part, and it is extremely difficult to run a solar company and offer good customer service to many locations from a central office.
Local ones have a community connection, they know better the incentives and regulations in the area, and they simply care more about you than large businesses trying to get into your pocket and overprice you. While multi-state solar companies might try to convince you by financial stability and “quality of installations across different locations”, try to choose a local company that meets all your criteria.
What Does a Solar Installation Look Like?
Here’s how a solar system installation will look like once the design for your solar system is approved:
– First, a solar installer should estimate your energy needs, and analyze your annual and monthly electricity consumption, which you can find on utility bills measured in kilowatt-hours (kWh). Such calculations will help to understand potential savings, payback period, and the system size you need.
– A home energy audit is something every experienced solar company would do to understand the size and output needed.
– Next question on the list: are your house’s roof conditions good enough for installation? A solar installer should carefully inspect the roof and ensure its conditions and orientation are good to go, how and where to better place solar panels and wire the system.
– Next, they will design the system and show you how it’s going to look.
You will usually need a permit to install solar panels from your local authorities, and the solar provider should handle all the paperwork.
– The entire process might take up to 3 months depending on the state and local regulations, while the system installation is usually up to 3 days (might take longer depending on roof conditions and system complexity).
– The installation crew should always clean up and remove any debris, leaving your house in good condition.
– When the system is installed, it should be checked and approved by local municipality inspection.
– If you’re connecting your system to the grid, it has to be wired to your local utility system. You’ll apply for connection through your utility company, which will also want to inspect your system to ensure it’s following utility guidelines. Some installers may help you with this step, so always ask. Once you have all the permits, your system will be up and running, powering your home with solar.
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