A plain-English guide to every HECO solar and battery program — which ones are active, which are closed, and which is right for you.
Hawaiian Electric (HECO) has several programs for solar and battery customers. The landscape can be confusing because some programs are active while others are closed to new applicants. Here’s what you need to know.
Existing customers on these programs can stay — and in most cases, should.
SRE Export (Smart Renewable Energy Export) is HECO’s primary active program for solar customers who want to send excess energy back to the grid and receive credits. If you’re installing a new solar system today, this is most likely the program you’ll be on.
You install solar (and ideally battery), generate power for your home, and export the excess to HECO’s grid. You receive credits on your bill based on when you export — time-of-use rates mean you earn different amounts depending on the time of day.
Your export rates are locked for 7 years initially, then renew in 3-year periods. This gives you predictable economics for your solar investment.
Credits accumulate monthly. At year’s end, unused credits expire — they do not roll over. System sizing matters to avoid wasting excess generation.
HECO installs an advanced meter at no cost to you. This meter tracks energy flow in both directions and records the time of each export for proper crediting.
Export credit rates vary by island and time of day. These are the rates you earn for each kWh you send back to the grid:
| Time Window | Hours | Oahu | Hawaii Island | Maui |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Daytime | 9am – 5pm | $0.135/kWh | $0.106/kWh | $0.066/kWh |
| Evening Peak | 5pm – 9pm | $0.329/kWh | $0.231/kWh | $0.182/kWh |
| Overnight | 9pm – 9am | $0.189/kWh | $0.148/kWh | $0.131/kWh |
Lanai and Molokai: SRE Export rates not currently published. Contact HECO for the latest rates.
Notice the evening peak rate on Oahu ($0.329/kWh) is nearly 2.5x the daytime rate ($0.135/kWh). This is why battery storage is so valuable — store solar energy during the day when credits are low, then export during the 5–9pm peak window for maximum credits. A battery effectively doubles or triples the value of every kWh your panels produce.
SRE Non-Export is for customers who want to generate and use solar power on-site but do not export any energy to HECO’s grid. All the value comes from avoiding electricity purchases rather than earning export credits.
Customers pairing solar with battery who want to maximize self-consumption. All solar production is used in the home or stored in batteries for later use.
Expedited review process since there’s no grid export to evaluate. Gets approved faster than SRE Export, especially in voltage-constrained areas where export capacity is limited.
There are no export credits because nothing goes to the grid. Your savings come entirely from reduced HECO electricity purchases. Battery storage is essential to capture daytime solar for evening use.
Like SRE Export, an advanced meter is installed by HECO at no charge to verify that no energy is being exported to the grid.
BYOD+ is HECO’s flagship battery incentive program. In exchange for allowing HECO limited access to dispatch energy from your battery during peak grid demand, you receive significant upfront payments and ongoing monthly credits. It’s one of the best battery incentives available anywhere in the country.
You select a 2-hour window — for example, 6–8pm — during which HECO can draw energy from your battery to support the grid. Outside that window, your battery operates normally for self-consumption and backup. The 20% battery reserve is always maintained, so your backup protection is never compromised.
If your household income is below 140% of the area median income, you qualify for an additional $400/kW on top of the standard incentive — effectively doubling the upfront payment to $800/kW. This is HECO’s way of ensuring equitable access to battery incentives.
A Powerwall 3 with a 5kW commitment earns $2,000 upfront ($400 × 5kW) plus approximately $52/month in export credits from dispatched energy at peak rates. That’s roughly $5,120 in total BYOD+ value over the 5-year commitment — before factoring in the 30% federal tax credit and your own self-consumption savings.
The following programs are no longer accepting new applications. However, existing customers on these programs can — and generally should — stay on them. Here’s a quick reference for each:
The original solar program. Customers receive 1:1 retail-rate credits for every kWh exported — meaning you get the full retail price of electricity back. Generally the best deal of any HECO program. If you’re on NEM, stay on it.
Similar to NEM with additional provisions for customers who wanted to add battery or expand their system. Also offered favorable credit rates close to retail. Existing customers should remain on this program.
A fixed export credit rate that was lower than retail but guaranteed for the contract term. Replaced NEM as the primary export program before SRE took over.
Enhanced version of CGS with slightly different terms. Also offered a fixed export credit rate below retail but with a longer guarantee period.
Self-consumption only with no export allowed — the predecessor to SRE Non-Export. All energy had to be used on-site or stored. Popular with battery customers.
For larger systems up to 100kW. Primarily used by small commercial installations. Offered a different rate structure than residential programs.
If you’re on NEM, NEM+, or another legacy program, you are not required to switch. In most cases, staying on your current program is significantly more advantageous. NEM customers in particular have the best deal available — 1:1 retail credits are far more valuable than current SRE rates. Contact us if you want help evaluating whether switching makes sense for your specific situation.
In addition to the solar and battery programs above, HECO offers Power Partnership Programs that provide monthly bill credits for allowing grid services through qualifying devices like water heaters and batteries, managed through third-party partners.
The best program depends on your situation. Here’s a quick decision guide:
SRE Export + BYOD+ — Maximize your investment with export credits at peak rates plus the $400/kW upfront BYOD+ incentive. This is the best combination for new installations.
SRE Export — You’ll still earn export credits, but consider adding a battery later. Without a battery, most export happens during low-value daytime hours instead of high-value peak hours.
Stay on NEM — You have the best deal available. NEM’s 1:1 retail-rate credits are far more valuable than any current program. Do not switch unless you have a very specific reason.
BYOD+ — Earn the $400/kW upfront incentive plus monthly export credits. The battery also qualifies for the 30% federal tax credit, even when added to an existing system.
SRE Non-Export + Battery — Use every kWh you produce. Best for customers who want energy independence and are in areas with limited grid export capacity.
Not sure which program fits? Use our interactive tool to find the best match for your home.
Use HECO Program NavigatorAll HECO program applications go through their Customer Interconnection Tool (CIT). The process involves system design review, electrical review, and approval before installation can be completed. Here’s the good news: we handle all of it for you.
Our team prepares and submits all HECO applications, interconnection agreements, and program enrollment forms on your behalf. You don’t need to navigate the CIT portal yourself.
Typical approval takes 2–4 weeks from application submission. SRE Non-Export tends to be faster due to simplified review. We track the status and keep you informed throughout.
Each program has different documentation requirements — system specifications, single-line diagrams, equipment data sheets, and more. We prepare everything based on the program you’re applying for.
Yes. In fact, this is the most common and recommended combination for new solar + battery installations. SRE Export provides the export credit framework, while BYOD+ adds the upfront incentive payment and monthly dispatch credits on top. The two programs complement each other — SRE Export determines your credit rates, and BYOD+ adds additional value from your battery. You can also pair BYOD+ with SRE Non-Export or certain legacy programs.
SRE export credits are calculated monthly based on the time-of-use rates for your island. They appear as a line-item credit on your HECO bill, reducing the amount you owe. Credits accumulate over the year, but any unused credits expire at the annual true-up date (12 months after your interconnection date). You’ll also see separate charges for any grid electricity you consumed, so your bill shows both sides — what you used and what you exported.
If you exit the BYOD+ program before the 5-year commitment ends, you’ll need to repay a prorated portion of the upfront incentive. For example, if you received $2,000 upfront and leave after 3 years, you’d repay approximately $800 (the remaining 2/5 of the incentive). The exact calculation is based on the time remaining in your commitment. Monthly credits earned up to that point are yours to keep.
Generally, no. NEM provides 1:1 retail-rate credits, which are significantly more valuable than SRE time-of-use rates in most scenarios. On Oahu, the retail rate is around $0.40–$0.44/kWh, while even the best SRE Export rate (evening peak) is $0.329/kWh. The only situation where switching might make sense is if you’re significantly expanding your system or adding battery storage in a way that’s incompatible with your existing NEM agreement. We recommend contacting us for a free evaluation before making any changes.
Your HECO program is listed on your monthly electric bill, typically in the rate schedule or tariff section. Look for abbreviations like NEM, CGS, CSS, or SRE. You can also call HECO customer service at (808) 548-7311 or log into your account at hawaiianelectric.com to view your interconnection agreement details. If you’re unsure, send us your most recent HECO bill and we’ll identify your program for you.
No. HECO does not endorse or recommend specific installers. They encourage customers to get multiple bids and choose a licensed, reputable contractor. As a Tesla Premier Certified Installer with 30+ years in Hawaii and over 10,000 installations, we’re one of the most experienced companies in the state — but we always encourage you to do your due diligence and compare options.
Our team handles all HECO paperwork and program enrollment. Get a free estimate and we’ll recommend the best program for your situation.