Independent reference site. Not a government website and not affiliated with any legislature or utility.Laws checked October 14, 2026
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State law · Hawaii

Is plug-in solar legal in Hawaii?

Not yet. SB 2902 did not pass in 2026 and was deferred to the 2027 session. The proposal would set a 1.2 kilowatt cap, require PUC registration and certification, and exempt qualifying devices from net metering and interconnection rules.

Where the bill stands
  1. Bill introducedSB 2902
  2. Passed the legislaturecarried to 2027
  3. Signednot yet
  4. In effectnot yet
Deferred to 2027

Hawaii

SB 2902 was deferred to the 2027 session; there is no state plug-in solar law yet.

Bill
SB 2902
Size limit in the bill
no law yet
Utility notice, in the bill
The bill does not say
Certification in the bill
Underwriters Laboratories; Inc.; or an equivalent nationally recognized testing laboratory (whole system)
Renters, in the bill
Not addressed
HOA, in the bill
Not addressed
Paid for exports, in the bill
Utility would not have to pay
Utility fees, in the bill
Would be banned

Checked October 14, 2026

Other states

MEWIVTNHWAIDMTNDMNILMINYMAORNVWYSDIAINOHPANJCTRICAUTCONEMOKYWVVAMDDEAZNMKSARTNNCSCDCOKLAMSALGAHIAKTXFL
A typical year in Hawaii800 W kit · railing, facing south · near the state's population center
Service ZIP967xxHawaii
573 kWhproduced in a typical year
$187saved per year
46.28¢/kWhAverage home rate, EIA

405 kWh used at home × 46.28¢ = $187.43; 168 kWh sent to the grid unpaid, 0 kWh lost to the inverter limit. At Hawaii's average rate (EIA).

Hawaii: Back in 2027SB 2902 was deferred to the 2027 session; there is no state plug-in solar law yet.
Bill
SB 2902
Proposed
—

Production by month, kWh

0255075100kWhJanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
  • Used at home
  • Sent to the grid

Residential average, January to July 2026 (EIA Electric Power Monthly).

Open the calculator

What the law says now

There is no Hawaii law in force on October 14, 2026: the legislature lists SB 2902 as deferred to the 2027 session and the Bright Saver tracker marks it as carryover. The bill did not pass in 2026.

As drafted, the bill would define "portable solar generation devices" and says a device "has a maximum power output of 1.2 kilowatts." It directs the Public Utilities Commission to establish an online registration system and to determine the required certification standard by December 30, 2026, bans registration fees, exempts qualifying devices from net energy metering and interconnection rules, and states surplus electricity "is unused and cannot be sold to an electric utility."

  • Maximum power output: 1.2 kilowatts (bill text).
  • PUC to run an online registration system and set certification rules by December 30, 2026.
  • No registration fee required; surplus cannot be sold to a utility.
  • Exempt from net energy metering and interconnection requirements.
  • Utilities may not require approval, fees, or extra equipment.
  • Installation limited to units in condominiums under chapter 514B.

Options without a law

Until a law is adopted, SB 2902 gives no statewide statutory right. If you want power that does not connect to the grid, a portable power station charged by panels needs no grid connection and can be used without utility interaction.

EcoFlow lists portable stations such as the DELTA 3 Max Plus (2,048 Wh, 3,000 W AC) and says the DELTA Pro 3 can accept up to 7,000 W of charging input and supports solar and AC charging. See available kits and portable stations or use the calculator to compare production and savings.

The calculator gives typical-year numbers for an 800 W kit in Hawaii: vertical mounting produces 573 kWh a year (405 kWh used at home, 168 kWh exported, $187 saved at 46.28 cents/kWh); tilted at 30° it produces 1,166 kWh a year and saves $262.

  • Portable power stations + panels need no grid connection.
  • Homeowners can still get rooftop-solar quotes from installers.
  • Use the calculator to compare kit production and savings.

Questions

Is plug-in solar currently permitted in Hawaii?

No. On October 14, 2026 there is no statewide law in force; SB 2902 was deferred to the 2027 session.

What would SB 2902 require if passed?

The draft sets a 1.2 kilowatt maximum, requires PUC registration and certification rules, bans registration fees, and exempts qualifying devices from net energy metering and interconnection requirements.

Can I sell surplus electricity from a portable device?

The bill text says any surplus electricity "is unused and cannot be sold to an electric utility," so the draft does not provide for exports to be sold.

How much would an 800 W kit produce and save in Hawaii?

The calculator gives typical-year estimates: vertical 800 W → 573 kWh/yr (405 kWh used at home, $187 saved at 46.28 cents/kWh); 800 W tilted 30° → 1,166 kWh/yr and $262 saved.