According to the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA), Hawaiian electric customers pay over 40¢ per kWh on average – the highest rates in the nation. Combined with ample sunshine and state incentives, solar panels can dramatically reduce electric bills.
By installing a properly-sized photovoltaic (PV) system, we can eliminate 90% or more of a household‘s grid supply costs based on local net metering policies.
When examining solar providers to find optimal savings, signing with a reputable, established company is key. Fly-by-night solar dealers with limited experience have entered Hawaii simply to capitalize on PV growth incentives. Working with trusted area firms ensures system quality and performance.
The following companies stand out as Hawaii‘s top options based on credentials, equipment, warranties and value:
RevoluSun Hawaii
In operation since 2008 with over 5,000 installs, RevoluSun brings expertise spanning solar design, efficiency upgrades and maintenance across Hawaii. Their full solution offerings set them apart.
Solar Equipment & Warranties
| Brand | Equipment | Warranty |
|---|---|---|
| SunPower | Panels | 25 years |
| Panasonic | Panels | 25 years |
| Tesla | Powerwall Battery | 10 years |
RevoluSun exclusively sells premium panels and battery storage rated in the top 5% for efficiency and performance. This translates to more energy savings over time from your system.
Their decades of experience also make them Hawaii‘s most trusted provider for:
- Solar hot water heating
- HVAC system upgrades
- LED lighting conversion
- Whole-home energy audits
These improvements compound savings beyond solar electric reduction.
Homeowners also benefit from an industry-leading 20-year roof leak warranty and workmanship coverage from RevoluSun‘s installations. Qualifying solar equipment comes with a 25-year production guarantee.
Financing & Savings
| System Size | Financing | Est. Monthly Savings |
|---|---|---|
| 5 kW | $0 down solar loan | $150 |
| 7 kW | Solar lease | $200 |
Flexible financing options make installations affordable through monthly payment plans. Based on current electric rates, savings from RevoluSun systems exceed loan costs. Net utility bill reductions realize complete payback on equipment pricing within 5-7 years.
Credentials & Recognition
With an A+ Better Business Bureau rating and over 1,000 positive customer reviews, RevoluSun has earned community trust. They also hold endorsements from:
- SEIA – Solar Energy Industries Association
- NABCEP – North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners
The company received SEIA‘s Regional Leadership Award in 2021 for solar market contributions. Their expertise and reputation provide peace of mind.
Malama Solar
Since 2017, Malama Solar served over 1,200 residences across Oahu and Hawaii with quality craftsmanship. Focusing exclusively on solar electric and battery storage installations has allowed their team to perfect end-to-end project execution.
Equipment & Warranties
Malama maintains relationships with top-tier solar manufacturers:
| Brand | Equipment | Warranty |
|---|---|---|
| LG Solar | Panels | 25 years |
| Panasonic | Panels | 25 years |
| Tesla | Powerwall Battery | 10 years |
Their installers leverage 25 years of equipment protection along with 10-year labor coverage to deliver systems built to last while saving customers money.
Costs & Projections
The average Malama Solar setup runs approximately $3 per watt including equipment, permits and installation:
| System Size | Cost | Est. Annual Savings | Payback Period |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5 kW | $15,000 | $1,250+ | 12 years |
| 7 kW | $21,000 | $1,750+ | 12 years |
With Hawaiian electric rates 4X the U.S. average, a 7 kW array cuts annual utility costs by $2,100 or more. Within a decade, lifetime electric bill reductions eclipse installed equipment pricing.
Expertise
Technicians at Malama Solar maintain advanced solar credentials:
- NABCEP Certification
- SEI PV Associate Exam
They also upheld a 5 out 5-star customer rating spanning 65+ reviews on Google and Facebook. The company is on track to install over 2,500 systems prior to 2025 based on current growth trends.
SunPower by Eco Solar Hawaii
In 2009, this division leveraged SunPower‘s industry-leading panel technology to deliver renewable savings in Hawaii. To date, they have installed over 3,500 residential arrays on Oahu, Maui, Kauai and Hawaii Island.
Their partnership with SunPower is key. Rated at 22.8% efficiency, SunPower modules generate 60% more kilowatt-hours per rated watt than conventional panels. Maximizing production from Hawaii‘s plentiful sunlight results in the fastest bill recovery.
Equipment & Warranties
| Brand | Equipment | Warranty |
|---|---|---|
| SunPower | Panels | 25 years |
| SolarEdge | Inverter | 12 years |
| Tesla | Powerwall | 10 years |
Savings
Based on SunPower‘s premium output and state electric rates, a 5 kW system from Eco Solar cuts annual utility costs by $1,500 or more over 25 years:
| System Size | Equipment Cost | Annual Savings |
|---|---|---|
| 5 kW | $15,000 | $1,500+ |
| 7 kW | $20,000 | $2,000+ |
After incentives, monthly electric reduction effectively funds equipment pricing over 7 years.
Expertise
With SunPower’s stringent certification policies, Eco Solar maintains their Elite Partner status year after year. Their installations also carry separate 5-year workmanship coverage. Homeowners can be confident in reliable long-term performance.
Rising Sun Solar
As one of Hawaii‘s original solar firms, Rising Sun has installed over 5,000 systems across the state since 1986. Their experience optimizing savings for local households cannot be matched.
Equipment offerings from Rising Sun pair high efficiency SunPower and LG panels with Tesla batteries to withstand harsh island weather for decades while generating consistent electric savings.
Costs
While the average solar payback period nationwide is 8-12 years, Rising Sun leverages solar incentives in Hawaii to shorten the transition.
A 6 kW mid-grade SunPower system runs approximately $3.00 per watt installed. After the 35% state tax credit and 26% federal credit, out-of-pocket equipment costs drop below $10,000. Locking in electric rates 40% below utility pricing provides full savings payoff in under 5 years before accounting for system lifetime.
Expertise
Over 35 years, Rising Sun cultivated extensive solar credentials:
- Founding Member: American Solar Energy Society
- Advanced ASES Certifications
- NABCEP journeyman installers
Customers consistently rate their service 5 stars. As the second largest solar installer in Hawaii, their expertise streamlines savings.
Independent Energy Hawaii
Opening in 2021 during the solar boom, Independent Energy brought a fresh perspective through a focus on customer education and transparent pricing. Their website provides real-time cost calculators where shoppers can explore various equipment options and exact bill savings matched to their home‘s specifics.
Once installed, systems carry a 25-year equipment warranty along with 10 years of maintenance coverage. Monitoring also helps optimize self-consumption of solar energy through their app.
Equipment & Pricing
| System Size | Equipment Price | Average Production |
|---|---|---|
| 5 kW | $14,000 | 675 kWh/month |
| 7 kW | $19,600 | 945 kWh/month |
Generating 80% or more of an average home‘s electric needs, Independent Energy designs right-sized arrays for consistent savings based on historical consumption. Upfront equipment rates typically balance out utility savings in 7 years or less.
Recognition
Since opening in 2021, Independent Energy received over 75 5-star reviews for pricing transparency and maintaining open communication throughout installs. Their access to real-time system production data provides confidence.
Pacific Energy Hawaii
Operating since 2009, this Hawaii solar provider simplified solar. Their website contains just 3 equipment bundles that combine panels with batteries and inverters sized perfectly for small, medium or large homes. All necessary mounting hardware, cables and accessories are included along with permits to reduce headaches.
Each system carries at least a 25-year warranty on SunPower panels and 10-year coverage on Powerwall batteries. Monitoring also comes standard.
Pricing
Their straightforward packaged pricing breaks down as:
| System | Equipment Price | Average Output |
|---|---|---|
| Small | $15,000 | 500 kWh/month |
| Medium | $23,000 | 750 kWh/month |
| Large | $35,000 | 1,100 kWh/month |
With incentives, Pacific Energy solar systems typically pay for themselves in energy savings within 5-7 years. This hassle-free process provides long-term guarantees.
Reviews
Reviews consistently praise Pacific Energy‘s quality craftsmanship and simple purchase experience:
"They made going solar so easy and we‘re saving $250/month on electric bills from their SunPower system!"
When exploring top solar options to reduce electric costs long-term, keep the following evaluation criteria in mind:
Equipment & Warranties
Premium solar panels and batteries from leading manufacturers like SunPower, LG and Tesla perform better and last longer than generic alternatives to maximize ROI. Opting for 25-year equipment coverage gives peace of mind.
Company Experience
Established Hawaii installers with thousands of existing systems understand how to optimize savings based on the state‘s electric rates, taxes, and solar incentives. They streamline the transition.
Financing Terms
While upfront solar purchases are ideal when possible, loans, leases and PPAs allow $0 down installs with monthly rates lower than your current utility pricing. This immediately realizes savings.
Monitoring
Smart panels with built-in connectivity provide system performance visibility and self-consumption tracking to align solar usage with peak production hours. Optimization maximizes savings.
According to the SEIA, over 2,300 megawatts of new solar capacity will come online in Hawaii through 2025. This positions the state to meet its renewable portfolio goal of 100% clean energy by 2045.
Continued solar tax credits along with raising electric rates will maintain ROI attractiveness. As costs fall, payback periods can shorten to 3-5 years. These market dynamics facilitate further expansion.
Federal residential solar incentives will also boost adoption over the next 5 years. This extends savings for homeowners moving sooner rather than later.
With high-efficiency panels sized appropriately, we can leverage solar to eliminate 90% or more of grid supply costs based on current net metering policies. This benefit will only increase over time.
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How popular is solar in Hawaii? Solar powers over 18% of households as the state ranks 18th nationally in capacity. Rapid growth should continue.
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How many solar panels are needed? Most homes require between 10-25 panels based on roof space and energy needs of 500-1,000 kWh monthly.
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Does solar increase my home value? Yes, solar can boost asset value by 4-5% in Hawaii. Home buyers recognize long-term utility savings.
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What are electric rates in Hawaii? Over 40¢ per kWh – the highest in the U.S. High prices make solar financially attractive.
