The Best Solar Companies in Honolulu (2024)

Hawaii has more than 100 solar energy companies serving its residents. With so many options, homeowners in Honolulu may find it difficult to choose an installer that best suits their needs. Here are some factors that can make it easier to choose a solar company.

Our research shows that the following are Honolulu’s best solar installers:

• SunPower: Our pick for most experience
• Sunrun: Our pick for leasing options
• Rising Sun Solar: Our pick for customer service
• RevoluSun Hawaii: Our pick for local sustainability

In Hawaii, the average cost of going solar is $2.79 per watt, slightly lower than the national average of $2.85 per watt. So, a 6 kilowatt (kW) home solar system in Honolulu would cost around $16,740 before incentives, compared to $17,094 nationally. Here is an overview of the pricing for Honolulu’s best solar companies:

*Pricing is based on responses to two surveys we conducted in 2023 of 2,000 total homeowners with 8 kilowatt (kW) solar systems as well as pricing information obtained directly from SunPower, Tesla, Palmetto and local providers. Your cost may vary.

**BBB ratings are accurate as of August 2023. 

Honolulu residents can choose from multiple solar contractors, from local installers to national brands. Sunrun is company with extensive experience and flexible financing, while Rising Sun and RevoluSun Hawaii offer strong local expertise.

Other installers in Honolulu worth mentioning include Pearl City-based Vans Electric, Mililani-based Eco Solar, Malama Solar and Island Pacific Energy. Before making a final decision, we suggest you request and compare quotes from multiple solar installation companies.

The list below outlines the benefits of installing a solar power system in Honolulu.

• Electric bill savings: At nearly 42 cents per kilowatt-hour (kWh), Hawaii is the country’s most expensive state for electricity costs. Compared to the national average, Hawaiians spend thousands of dollars more on power bills over two or three decades. But Hawaii receives ample sunshine, which allows homeowners to generate plenty of free solar power, offsetting the costly grid power and saving money on power bills.
• Protection from rising power costs: In 2021, the average cost of one kilowatt-hour of energy in Hawaii was 28.7 cents. A year later, it had climbed to over 44 cents. While significant price hikes like this do not occur regularly, Hawaii’s electricity rates can still increase over time. Over 25 to 30 years, the cumulative increase in energy pricing resulting from inflation and other factors can be substantial. Families who install solar panels can protect themselves from the impact of price hikes by offsetting traditional power costs.
• Security against blackouts: Hawaii’s geographical position subjects it to frequent storms and other extreme weather events that threaten the stability of its power transmission system. In March 2023, thousands of people on the islands of Hawaii, Kauai and Oahu (Honolulu’s island), experienced severe power outages. Similar blackout events have occurred in the past. More extreme weather events can trigger more blackouts. Homes with a solar and battery storage system can sustain power and keep appliances running through an outage.
• Environmental impact: More than 80% of Honolulu’s power comes from fossil fuels, which cause carbon emissions that harm the planet. But solar panels generate power and cause no emissions. Over its lifetime, a solar photovoltaic (PV) system can generate tens of thousands of kilowatt-hours of energy, offsetting thousands of pounds of greenhouse gasses.
• Increased home value: Another benefit of solar power systems is their ability to boost the value of a property. A study by Zillow showed that on average, homes with solar panels fetch a price that is 4.1% higher than comparable homes without solar. With Honolulu’s average home price of $800,614, solar could provide an increase of more than $30,000.

Honolulu has an ambitious Renewable Portfolio Standard (RPS) that aims to eliminate all fossil sources from its energy mix by 2045. The state and some local municipalities offer solar incentives to promote the growth of clean energy technology. Below is an overview of the federal, state and local incentives Honolulu residents can claim.

Federal Incentives

The federal solar tax credit is a nationally available incentive that allows homeowners to use a tax credit to lower their income tax burden. Also known as the Investment Tax Credit (ITC),  the program allows homeowners who install solar power systems to claim 30% of their total system cost as a tax credit. You can claim the tax credit for the year you install solar panels and if you can’t use the full amount, you can roll over the remainder for up to five years.

The average solar system in Honolulu with the previously mentioned cost of $16,740 would yield a tax credit of $5,022.

Statewide Incentives

The state of Hawaii also offers solar incentives. Although residents can no longer enroll in net metering, other available incentives can help make it easier to go solar.

Honolulu Incentives

Aside from the federal and state incentives, residents of Honolulu also benefit from a property tax exemption. Homes with solar energy systems will not have to pay added property taxes for 25 years if the panels increase their home value.