Image used under license from Freestock.com

Important news for those wanting to add a certain method to offset the ever increasing power charges from HELCO. Hawaii island residents “enjoy” the highest power charges in North America at almost 50 cents a kilowatt resulting in very high monthly power bills. The only method for avoiding these costs is to add a solar system to your home or condominium if allowed. Over the last year HELCO has closed the grid near and around the Kohala Coast including the Mauna Lani and other resorts to new systems.

A recent newsletter from HELCO included this positive notification:

The CGS program at all three utilities last year reached the capacity caps set by the PUC. To enable more customers to enroll, the companies proposed that space be transferred from approved but long-inactive rooftop projects. Estimates show at least 20 megawatts of CGS capacity is available for customers of the three companies, representing about 2,800 private rooftop solar systems. More than half of that capacity is on Oʻahu.

Hundreds of CGS applications are already in line for processing. Those applications will be processed in the order received and only as capacity becomes available through Oct. 21, 2017. Customers interested in submitting an application should first review our Going Solar webpage and check the online Locational Value Maps to determine if the circuit serving their neighborhood has room for more solar. If the circuit is saturated, equipment upgrades might be required, potentially adding to the cost and time needed for approval.

To allow for more integration of private solar, the Hawaiian Electric Companies are testing the latest technologies, including advanced inverters that may be used to improve circuit conditions.

Hawaiian Electric advises grid-supply applicants to install a “right-sized” system calculated for their household’s actual energy use rather than an oversized system designed mainly to sell electricity to the grid. Oversized systems cost more and can potentially export more electricity than the homeowner will receive credit for on their electric bill. By using Solar WattPlan, the companies’ online calculator, customers can determine what size system is right for them.

Installing a “right-sized” system helps leave room for future interconnections on the circuit, making space for others.

The Hawaiian Electric Companies lead the nation in the adoption of solar power. Nearly 78,500 customers have had their systems approved or installed on Oʻahu, Maui County, and Hawaiʻi Island. To date, 16 percent of all customers have PV systems – nearly 20 times the national average.

Written by Rick Oliver on May 22, 2017
Posted in: Hawaii Life | Tags: Hawaii Real Estate, solar