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Hawaii leads the nation in solar power energy. Statistics indicate that 2.6 percent of the state’s residential and business owners have solar energy. Residents interested in becoming one of the statistics and obtaining Hawaii solar energy should fill out our quick and easy form.

Though the state fully embraced the energy renewal system and established credits to encourage property owners toward adopting solar energy, the abuse of credits eventually began depleting Hawaii’s revenue. In 2010, the state paid $35 million in credits. That number jumped to $173 million by 2013.

Under the current law, home and business owners purchasing and installing Hawaii solar energy systems may claim a tax credit for up to 35 percent. However, the maximum amount the owners of any one system may claim is $5,000.

One of the problems lie with the property owners who install more than one system or divide one system into multiple units and claim a tax credit for each. In 2010, the Tax Department attempted to alleviate the confusion by declaring that the number of photovoltaic systems would be determined by the number of independent connections attached to the circuit breaker or utility meter. Unfortunately, the clarification still brought confusion for property owners because contractors and electrical engineers also had varying opinions as to what constituted a single or multiple system.

The new guidelines limit the number of solar rebates for Hawaiian residents by basing credits on the output capacity of the system. In order to obtain one credit, a system must generate at least 500 kilowatts of power. The legislation also stipulates a capacity minimum for multi-family residences and business owners. Apartment complexes, for example, must have systems that generates at least 360 watts of power. Systems on commercial properties must produce at least 1,000 kilowatts of power to receive one credit. The new ruling goes into effect on January 1, 2014

When the new rules take effect, energy conservation groups estimate that the new regulations will reduce financial rewards by at least one-half, which may dissuade property owners from purchasing and installing an energy conserving system. The renewable energy group known as the Blue Planet Foundation notes that purchasing energy systems not only reduces the state’s use of fossil fuels, but also bolsters the economy. The organization indicates that 17 percent of the construction jobs are directly related to renewable energy installations. If sales and installations decline, the economy may face a dramatic shift.

Hawaii’s goal remains to obtain 40 percent of the energy used produced by renewable sources. Property owners may get a free estimate for energy renewable systems by filling out our quick and easy form.

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The Initial Step
Homeowners who are interested in signing a Hawaii solar lease need to contact a company that offers solar leases. Solar installers in Hawaii that offer leases, such as those located through SolarAmerica.org, will work with the homeowner ever step of the way to obtain the necessary permits and to complete the entire installation. Whether service is needed for Oahu solar installation or installation in another area of Hawaii, a solar installation team will work with the homeowner to determine which type of equipment is best, to structure the lease so that it is affordable for the homeowner and to ensure that all permits are in order. Keep in mind that there is typically not an up-front fee required to sign a lease. Unlike with a purchase where the homeowner needs to make a large payment for the purchase of equipment, the homeowner who signs a lease only needs to make affordable monthly payments.

The Long-Term Features of a Lease
The terms of a Hawaii solar lease can vary, so homeowners should pay close attention to the terms of their lease. They should take time to read through the lease and to ask questions if they are unclear about the terms. In many cases, Oahu solar leases and leases in other areas of Hawaii will extend for several years or longer in length. The leases typically will have an extension clause, and the homeowner may choose to extend the lease term once the initial term has expired, Many of these leases also enable the individual to purchase the equipment after the initial term has expired.

There are many benefits that homeowners can enjoy by signing a Hawaii solar lease rather than purchasing the equipment on their own. A lease is a more cost-effective and streamlined option to consider, and homeowners can easily locate reputable installers who can assist with the lease process through SolarAmerica.org.

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A Direct Purchase
A direct purchase of a Hawaii or Oahu solar energy system with a cash payment may be one option to consider, but it may cost thousands or even tens of thousands of dollars for a homeowner to purchase a system that will fully offset their energy needs. Once installed, however, the system may produce all energy that the home needs. Over time, the system may pay for itself. However, homeowners should crunch the numbers to determine how many years the system will need to be operational before the up-front cost has been recouped.

Financing Options
Even those homeowners who do not have the deep pockets necessary to make a direct purchase in a Hawaii solar energy system may still be able to purchase and install a system. With financing options, paying for the services of solar installers in Hawaii may be feasible. This is an option that essentially allows the homeowners to obtain a loan for the purchase of the system. The cost of services for solar installers in Hawaii as well as the rates and terms of a financing program can vary, so this option should also be explored in detail.

A Solar Lease
Signing a Hawaii solar lease is a final option to consider. The terms of a Hawaii solar lease can vary, but generally, homeowners may expect a Hawaii or Oahu solar energy company to pay for the cost of installation. The homeowner may have to pay a small monthly lease payment, and this may have a fixed payment over time. The amount of power that is generated by the home’s new system may offset the cost of the lease payments.

With each of these options, it is necessary for a homeowner to thoroughly review the costs, terms and benefits. Each offers benefits as well as drawbacks, and some options may be more feasible or cost effective for homeowners than others. While some options may be better for a homeowner than others, the variety of options makes it easier for homeowners interested in using solar energy to find a solution that is right for their needs and budget.

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The Growing Interest in Solar Projects
Before a homeowner contacts Hawaii solar installers to schedule service, it is important to consider the costs and benefits associated with solar Hawaii projects. The cost of solar panel installation can be expensive, but the state has offered rebates and other tax incentives to encourage residents to take advantage of the services of Hawaii solar installers. The government’s interest in promoting solar power projects has worked, and the number of individuals who are pursuing the installation of home solar projects has soared.

The Current State of Affairs
In fact, the government incentives were so successful that the state government has had to cut down on the incentives it is offering to local residents. In 2012, the solar Hawaii tax credits cost the state about $173.8 million in lost revenue. This is substantially higher than the figure of $34.7 million in lost revenue just two years before. Because of this huge increase in interest, the state has halted some of its credits and rebate offers for 2013, and Hawaii solar installers are now backlogged. In fact, some individuals have stated that the entire process for obtaining permits and waiting for installers to provide service is taking up to or more than a year. Some have stated that there is now currently too much solar energy in Hawaii. However, with how high the energy rates are for electricity in Hawaii, interest in Hawaii and Oahu solar energy is likely to continue.

Hawaii solar installers are now busier than ever, and the state has been forced to reduce its rebates and tax incentives on solar energy system installations due to the incredible popularity of solar energy in the state. However, the fact is that rising energy rates in the state coupled with the desire for homeowners to save money on their personal expenses may help to buoy demand for the installation of new solar energy projects in Hawaii despite the decreased financial incentives offered by the state.

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Use More Sunlight

Every saving decision is actually the combination of a number of small – perhaps taken for granted – choices. For example, you recognize that every load of clothes needs a dryer running on 220 volts for 45 minutes that accounts for a big chunk of the electric bill. Then maybe it’s time for you to switch to natural dryer – the sunlight. For people who haven’t yet realized the usefulness of warm weather, drying clothes outside make them fresh, odor-free and clean.

Turn the Lights Off

Unless you are running a business from your home that needs ample lighting for decoration purpose, you will probably need to turn the lights off after you are done using them. This task isn’t necessarily a slogan, but it can be a concise and functional explanation for why the electric bills can be eventually low. Also, considering the beautiful weather on Oahu, it makes sense to keep your lights off as much as possible and just enjoy natural lighting throughout your home.

Ventilation

Most homes are designed with good ventilation in mind, so unless you are in Alaska or in a vacation home in the Antarctic region (which, fortunately, you are not – yeah Hawaii!), there is no need of electric appliances to keep the room warm or cold. Old homes with drafty windows, doors and non-insulated walls should be replaced with newer ones, in case you experience the needed heat dissipating out of the house. Even if the electric furnaces are being used, having proper ventilation can reduce utility bill and headache.

Replace Electric Range with Propane Stove

At your favorite fast food joint, you are not only offered a delicious meal, but the one that has charcoal or bbq flavor on it. Kitchens at homes can be turned into a creative place by using propane gas stoves or bbq ovens instead of electric stoves. By making use of low cost gas appliances, you and your family can have a great time besides saving money on the electric bill. One other point to keep in mind is that this concept works well for homeowners who have large backyard and want to get the best bang for their bucks.

Energy Star Appliances Can Reduce Your Utility Bill

All the major appliances on your home add up to the cost of electricity in your final bill. And if you are an antique collector with lots of old appliances still running around the house, you are making the electric company rich and popular. Over the years, federal authority has come up with new rules and regulations regarding the use of such appliances, such as mandatory use of minimum efficiency standards, to bring down the cost of energy and conserve it across businesses and residences in the country. So, in that respect, today’s appliances are more energy-efficient and use half the amount of energy used in the earlier versions. The less energy we use, the less the impact on the environment which means more energy in the future and less pollution.

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Average costs for Hawaii solar energy can range between $15,000 and $25,000 after rebates and other incentives are applied. While this may seem like a high cost to pay for solar energy, the savings you can realize in electrical bills make this a small price to pay. The ginal costs for a Hawaii solar power system usually depends on which rebates and utility incentives are applicable to your situation. With a choice of qualified Hawaii solar installers, you can expect to receive the best return on your investment.

For some households, installing a solar power system is an expensive ticket item even with the incentives and rebates. Financing options are available to provide additional assistance for lowering energy costs and consumption. These options can help to offset the initial costs of installing the system. Generally, there are two ways to finance a solar power system. With enough equity, you could apply for a home equity loan to cover installation costs. In this instance, you can simply pull equity out of your home to finance your new solar system anticipating that your new home solar system will increase the value of your home. In fact, studies have shown that solar can increase the value of your home between $20-40,000.

Another popular option is to lease the usage of solar panels. A solar lease has little to no upfront installation costs. You only pay a monthly fee that includes use of the solar system and the energy bill. This option protects you from fluctuating energy rates. One downside to having a solar lease is that you may not qualify for the rebates and tax credits.

Currently, Hawaii has several different types of rebates and incentives to encourage homeowners to move towards solar energy. The type of rebate or tax credit is based on whether you select either a solar panel or thermal system. For example, as a homeowner of a single family residence, you can receive a 35 percent tax credit or $5,000 for the costs to install a solar panel system. You can also receive a 35 percent tax credit or $2,250 for a solar thermal system.

The Hawaii solar power tax credit can also be used with the tax credit available from the federal government. This offers further reduction in your tax liability to make solar installation more affordable. Additionally, you have the option of claiming a refund rather than a tax credit. There are several other rebates available to residents for solar thermal systems. A $750 rebate is available from the Hawaii Energy Efficiency Fund. The Hawaii Electric Company pays a $1,000 rebate through its Energy Solutions Program.

In addition, Hawaii is also one of the few states in the U.S. that has adopted a feed-in-tariff system for solar energy. A feed-in-tariff is essentially where your utility company has to pay you cash for the amount of energy your system produces above the amount you consume. Currently in Hawaii, participating utility companies (HECO, MECO and HELCO) are paying $0.218/kWh for solar panel systems that are less than or equal to 20 kW; and $0.189/kWh for solar panel systems that are greater than 20 kW and less than or equal to 500 kW.In fact, you can see how solar in Hawaii might work below if you were to purchase solar a system:

Now that you can see that solar makes some sense, what is the process of going solar? Generally, the installation process for Hawaii solar energy involves several major steps: selection, assessment, financing options, securing permits and installing the system.

First, you need to find a local HI solar installer which can be a daunting process. If you want a simple way to find a Hawaii solar installer and see if they service your area, Solar Hawaii can put you directly in touch with these and other reputable and professional Hawaii solar installers who can help you go solar easily and economically.

Once you have selected an installer, they will then perform a complete an assessment of your home. Generally, the installer you choose will examine the roof of your home and ask questions about your energy usage. This assessment helps to determine which solar system is appropriate for your home.

A professional HI solar installer can also offer guidance on the best way to finance a new system. He or she will discuss the various rebates and financing options available. Typically they request the prior 12 months of your electric bills and then they can put together a comprehensive financial package that can tell you how much you can save depending on whether you finance a system or lease one.

Next, certain areas require permits before solar panels are installed. The professional installer can secure the permits on your behalf. Finally, the installer begins installation that is usually complete within 72 hours. Inspections and approvals are completed after the system is installed. Now you can begin to enjoy your new life of steady, predictable, low energy bills with solar!

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In Hawaii solar energy has been somewhat under utilized by residents. This is partly to do with the costs associated with solar power equipment, and also the lack of education about how solar energy can help residents. Photovoltaic solar panels use the sun’s energy to produce electricity. These panels can be placed on homes to harness the sun’s power and eliminate the need for fossil fuel energy.

Hawaii solar installers can provide the photovoltaic panels to meet your energy needs, and then some. With a process called net metering, any excess power your panels produce are placed back on the grid, and you are given credits for these. If you find a time when your panels have not produced enough power for your needs, you simply use your credits. This could completely eliminate your electric bill, saving you thousands every year.

One reason Hawaii solar power is not utilized more often is that people see the initial costs as being too high. With advances in the production of solar panels, the cost is coming down. Federal and state tax exemptions have been put in place to help offset the cost of solar panel installation. These exemptions could mean that you would get thousands of dollars back in tax refunds for the purchase and installation of solar panels. For example, the federal Investment Tax Credit allows individuals to deduct 30% of the cost of a solar system from individual federal income taxes and Hawaii offers a a tax credit of 35% of project costs or $5,000 (whichever is less) for single family residences to install solar power.

Hawaii solar installers will assess each resident’s individual needs and offer the most efficient, cost saving solutions for the home. Many companies even make payment arrangements to suit each individual’s situation. They are willing to work with customers because they want to see an end to Hawaii’s dependence on expensive, dangerous fossil fuels. Ending this dependence is a real possibility, but only if more people switch to alternative fuels such as solar power.

Once the panels are installed, they will do all the work for you. Gathering the energy of the sun by day, utilizing the extra credits at night, working to save you money. It is an easy way to help end the need for fossil fuels, and still have enough power for your daily needs.

With Hawaii’s sunny weather, this is the most obvious place to utilize solar energy. Hawaii solar energy is abundant and sustainable without causing further damage to the planet. It is time for a change to solar power, and with today’s photovoltaic technology, it has never been easier to go green in the Aloha state!

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Sunrun will buy and install the solar power system for their customer’s homes. Before any installation, an evaluation is performed by a Sunrun solar specialist. The evaluation determines whether the location of the home is not covered with a lot of shade, is facing the wrong direction, or if the amount of electricity used is very low. If the customer’s site passes the evaluation, a Sunrun representative calls the potential customer and makes an appointment for the installation of the solar power system. For the installation, the customer little or no money down. As for the maintenance of the system, Sunrun will typically monitor the panels, provide panel maintenance and make any panel repairs when needed. The customer will pay a monthly fee for the electricity that the Sunrun solar power system produces. Sunrun charges as little as $0 down for switching to solar power. The customer pays a fixed monthly rate for 20 years and saves thousands of dollars in electrical bills.

Sunetric helps their customers with information on any state and federal incentives for solar power system installation. Sunetric offers free solar evaluations to potential customer’s homes and/or businesses. A trained Sunetric representative will go to the customer’s site to evaluate it and the electricity usage rate. The Sunetric rep will then go over a few solar system installation and financing options, at the same time consider the needs and financial situation of the customer. Sunetric works with several financial institutions that provide customers with residential and commercial solar financing options to help with the cost of solar power systems.

Island Pacific Energy offers customers a no-money-down, pay-as-you-save program for their solar systems. Island Pacific Energy financing options helps customers immediately benefit from the state and federal solar tax credits while reducing the amount of the monthly energy bill. According Island Pacific Energy, this means the customer begins to save money as soon as their home solar power system is installed.

These are but a few Big Island solar companies. There are many more available. If you want a simple way to see if any of the above Big Island solar installers service your area, Solar Hawaii can put you directly in touch with these and other reputable and professional Big Island solar installers who can help you go solar easily and economically.

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Using solar energy is a means of using a renewable resource to power your home in an environmentally friendly way. The energy that the sun creates has limitless potential, and we have the technology to harness it. It does not have the same harmful effects as using non-renewable and pollutant resources to power your home, and it is much cheaper than excessively high electric bills. Solar energy is collected through solar cells and converted into the same electricity that a power company sends to your home. This energy is also stored during the day to be used at night, so solar power can be used even if the sun has set for the day.

We have all dealt with the unpleasantness of tearing open the latest in a series of ridiculously high electric bills. Following cost cutting suggestions that can become a huge inconvenience to your family, such as turning off the air conditioning in the dead of summer, still wind up saving a negligible amount of money. It hardly feels worth it to go to all that trouble when your bill is still so high. You have probably heard of solar energy before, and perhaps even heard of how to harness it, but have not realized just how simple and possible it is.

Solar cells, the collectors of solar energy, are made from silicon. Silicon comes from sand, one of the most abundant renewable resources on the planet. Because of this, with the right knowledge, it is very possible to cheaply build your own solar grid either on your own or with the help of a professional. The cost that you expend on converting your home to solar energy will be recouped many times over as months pass and there are no more of those pesky electric bills.

If your solar grid is large enough that you are generating an excess of power into your local power grid, the electric company may wind up being forced to cut you a check. That is quite a change of pace from those excessive bills. Much like in Hawaii, it is also possible that using solar power in your area will qualify you for tax breaks. There are many possible reasons to consider using solar power, from the financial to the environmental.

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