Hawaii has been one of the most active states on the subject of solar energy over the past years due to the fact that Hawaii is one of the sunniest places in the US. What you may not know, is that Hawaii has some of the strongest state-level policies in place to promote clean energy. This article explores why Hawaii is such a great place for solar energy advocacy if you are in Hawaii!
Leading Role of Hawaii in Solar Power
The United States as a whole has become one of the world’s biggest markets for PV and solar power, and Hawaii is leading that charge. Hawaii’s government announced a mandate that by 2020, 30% of electricity generation must come from renewable sources, and surprisingly the state’s energy generation had already exceeded that figure as they transitioned toward a completely independent and sustainable energy system.
Hawaiian Electric, the state’s largest utility company, has set ambitious goals to increase renewable energy production and decrease fossil fuel use. By using rooftop solar installations, Hawaiian Electric can avoid building large-scale power plants that are expensive to build and maintain. The rooftop installations are more efficient than traditional power plants because they produce electricity during peak times when demand is highest.
Friendly Solar Policy and Great Incentives
Hawaii has some friendly policies in place when it comes to supporting clean energy. Some are mentioned below.
Hawaii’s Clean Energy Initiative (HCEI):
Hawaii has both community and rooftop solar policies to encourage investment in renewable energies. It also offers numerous incentives through its HCEI program, like rebates on products such as batteries and smart appliances. The Hawaiian Clean Energy Initiative announced Hawaii’s great intention to achieve 100% renewable portfolio standards (RPS) by 2045.
26% Investment Tax Credit:
It is a federally announced program by govt. of the United States, which offers handsome tax credits to those who install new solar energy systems. The amount of credit is set to 26% and will be decreased after 2022. It’s helping a lot to encourage new solar installations in Hawaii.
Renewable Energy Technologies Income Tax Credit (RETITC):
This credit gives Hawaii residents a generous income tax break of 35% on their investments in renewable energy. In addition to these incentives, there are many other federal and state programs in place that help support clean energy and promote investment in it.
Huge Demand for EV’s in Hawaii
Although electric vehicles aren’t yet mainstream, they’re poised to become more common in Hawaii. As gas prices rise and people seek out alternative ways to commute and power their homes, vehicles that run on renewable energy will become more popular.
In Hawaii, energy efficient electric vehicles are high in demand as they have a lot of advantages including Lower Cost to Drive, Federal Tax Incentive, HOV/Zipper Lane Access, and No Emissions. In addition, federal tax incentives and access to carpool lanes may attract more drivers in the coming years.
EV Charging Station Rebate:
The Hawaii State Energy Office (HSEO) offers a rebate that offsets your costs of installing an EV charging station at your commercial facility or multi-unit dwelling for this.
Smart Charge Hawaii Program:
The investment in high-power charging stations will create opportunities for the development of electric vehicle infrastructure and the promotion of local business. In Hawaii, a smart charging facility is available in certain areas to support EV infrastructure.
Hawaii has a Renewable Portfolio Standard (RPS) for solar energy in place, making it one of the best states in America with policies that promote renewable energy generation. Due to supportive policies and incentives, Hawaii is well on its way toward reaching 100% renewable electricity by 2045 as mandated.
