Solar energy sinks its teeth into the Big Pineapple

The state of solar in Honolulu

Honolulu is the top city in the country for solar installations per person, with San Diego and Albuquerque following close behind. The island of Oahu embraces clean energy. Honolulu is a prime location for solar power, with its yearly average of 271 sunny days, which far exceeds the 205-sunny-day average for the U.S.^*Best Places, Climate in Honolulu, Hawaii (accessed 8/25/2021)

How much solar energy does Honolulu produce?

Honolulu has about 840.88 watts of solar capacity per capita, with over 7,700 existing solar installations.^*Google, Project Sunroof data explorer (November 2018) About 97% of all buildings in Honolulu are solar-viable, which could produce 2.6 million megawatt-hours each year.^*Google, Project Sunroof data explorer (November 2018) (A megawatt is one million watts, and a megawatt-hour is the output of that energy for one hour.)

What are the advantages of going solar in Honolulu?

By going solar in Honolulu, you can save significantly. Hawaii is notorious for its high residential electricity rate of 37.34¢ per kilowatt-hour, or kWh, of output (a Kilowatt is 1,000 watts), which is 214% more than the national average.^*Electricity Local, Residential Electricity Rates & Consumption in Hawaii (accessed 8/25/2021) Though Honolulu’s electricity rates, at 35.1¢ per kWh, are 6% less than the state’s, you can save more each month by installing solar panels and generating your own power.

Solar systems are also environmentally friendly because the electricity they produce create no air, land, or water pollution. Residents can reduce their carbon footprint and positively impact climate change by harvesting the sun’s energy.

How much does solar cost in Honolulu?

The cost of a home solar system can vary, even in the same city, due to a range of factors. These include:

• Solar installer

• Solar panel quality

• Local weather

• Roof size, shape, and condition

• Local weather

To help you understand the price of going solar in your area, we’ve analyzed SunPower price quotes, as well as quotes gathered by third-party sources,^*Local Solar Installers 2020/2021, Solar Reviews 2021, Energy Sage 2021, Wood Mackenzie 2020, National Renewable Energy Laboratory 2020. for thousands of homeowners across the country.

In Honolulu, we found that the average investment to own a 5 kW solar system costs $15,200, or, in other words, $3.44 per watt—and that’s before considering the benefits of any available tax credits or incentives.

A measure of energy output, a kWh (kilowatt-hour) is 1,000 watts (a kilowatt) producing energy for one hour. The average U.S. household uses just over 900 kWh per month.^*Energy Sage, What is a Kilowatt Hour? (Accessed Sept. 10, 2021).

Honolulu takes solar power seriously, which is why the state and local governments offer incentives and programs to help residents go solar. For example, the state has the Renewable Energy Technologies Income Tax Credit (RETITC), which gives residents a 35% tax incentive for solar systems under 5 kW.

Honolulu residents can also take advantage of the City and County of Honolulu - Real Property Tax Exemption for Alternative Energy Improvements incentive. The program gives new solar system owners 100% property tax exemption for 25 years.^*Dsire.org, City and County of Honolulu - Real Property Tax Exemption for Alternative Energy Improvements (updated 6/25/2020) A median-value home’s value can increase by up to 4% with a solar panel installation, making these systems a long-term investment that pays off.^*CNBC, Solar power can boost your home's value -- especially in these 10 states (updated 10/6/2019)

You can also reduce the cost of going solar by claim the federal solar tax credit when you file your income taxes. Also called the Investment Tax Credit (ITC), the benefit will give you 26% of the cost of a solar system.

Tax credits and incentives are subject to change. Visit dsireusa.org for detailed solar policy information.

What’s the best way to go solar in Honolulu?

Though you can undoubtedly go solar without professional assistance, the best way to experience all the benefits of solar energy is by contacting a licensed solar provider. These professionals understand how to match high-efficiency solar systems with each client’s specific needs, include the number of panels necessary to meet energy generation goals.

Before meeting with a solar professional, it’s worth using a solar savings calculator to quickly build a custom solar system design for your roof with an estimate of how much money you’ll save on electric bills and the amount of power it will produce.

Not all solar systems will be suitable for your property. You need to consider everything from the panels’ durability, the visual impact the panels will leave on your home, and your home’s energy objectives. By consulting with a reputable and experienced solar provider, you can be confident that you will have the best system to maximize your clean energy production without exceeding your budget.

Get started now. Request your consultation with SunPower. We’ll follow up with a quick call to schedule a time. You can also call us directly at (800) 786-7693.