The smart combination for Hawaii homeowners. Solar panels generate free electricity. Battery storage lets you use it when it’s worth the most — and keeps your lights on when the grid goes down.
Hawaii’s energy landscape has changed. The legacy net metering programs (NEM, CGS+) that made solar-only systems attractive are closed to new customers. All new solar installations now go on HECO’s Smart Export (SRE) program with time-of-use rates — and that changes the math.
Maximize savings under SRE rates
Lower upfront cost, simpler system
Not sure which path? Our calculator shows you the savings for both options.
Compare Solar vs Solar + Battery Find Your Best HECO ProgramWe design every system around premium, proven equipment that performs in Hawaii’s tropical climate — from panels and inverters to battery storage.
This is our primary equipment for residential projects. For commercial projects, all equipment available from local distributors is available — talk to our team about which combination is best for your situation.
The right configuration depends on your home’s energy usage, backup needs, and budget.
| Configuration | Storage | Backup Hours | Best For | Monthly Bill Range |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 Powerwall 3 | 13.5 kWh | 6–10 hrs | Most homes, moderate usage | $200–$400/mo |
| 1 PW3 + 1 Expansion | 27 kWh | 12–20 hrs | Higher usage, extended backup | $350–$550/mo |
| 2 Powerwall 3 units | 27 kWh (+ 11.5kW power) | 12–20 hrs | Large homes, 200A panels, heavy loads | $500+/mo |
| 2 PW3 + Expansions | 40.5–54 kWh | 24–48 hrs | Whole-home, multi-day backup | $600+/mo |
The Bring Your Own Device Plus (BYOD+) program is HECO’s flagship battery incentive. In exchange for allowing limited dispatch of your battery during peak grid demand, you receive significant upfront payments and ongoing monthly credits.
You select a 2-hour dispatch window (e.g., 6–8pm) during which HECO can draw from your battery to support the grid. Outside that window, your battery operates normally for self-consumption and backup. A minimum 20% battery reserve is always maintained — your backup protection is never compromised.
New battery system, paired with renewable generation (solar PV), and a minimum 1kW dispatch commitment. Systems must be installed by a licensed contractor and interconnected through HECO’s approval process. Read our full HECO Programs guide →
Real installations by our in-house crews across Oahu
Thousands of Hawaii homes have solar-only systems from previous programs. Battery storage is the ideal upgrade:
Battery storage still qualifies for the 30% federal tax credit — even when added to an existing solar system.
Unlock HECO BYOD+ incentives with $400/kW upfront payments and monthly export credits.
Peak-shift your solar for maximum export credits during the 5–9pm high-rate window.
Add outage protection with no changes to your existing solar system needed in most cases.
Looking for complete energy independence? We design and install off-grid solar + battery systems for properties where grid connection is unavailable, impractical, or simply unwanted.
No utility connection, no monthly HECO bill, no grid dependency. Your solar array and battery bank power everything.
Off-grid homes typically need 40–80+ kWh of storage (3–6 Powerwall units or equivalent) to handle nighttime usage and cloudy periods.
Off-grid arrays are designed to produce enough energy even during cloudy stretches. We size for worst-case scenarios, not averages.
Most off-grid homes include a propane or diesel generator as backup for extended low-production periods. We integrate it seamlessly with your solar + battery system.
Off-grid systems use the same high-quality equipment as our grid-tied installations, with additional components for standalone operation:
We’re happy to design an off-grid system for any customer who wants one. That said, we believe in giving honest advice:
Interested in off-grid? Contact us for a custom design consultation. Read our complete guide to grid-tied vs off-grid vs hybrid solar.
From first call to powering on, we manage every detail so you don’t have to.
Site survey, roof assessment, shade analysis, energy usage review, and initial system design tailored to your home.
Optimized panel layout, Powerwall placement, electrical design, HECO program recommendation, and full permit package.
Building permit, electrical permit, HECO interconnection application, and BYOD+ enrollment — we handle all paperwork.
Our in-house crew installs panels, Powerwall, inverters, and monitoring. Professional, clean, and respectful of your home.
Final inspection, HECO meter swap, and Permission to Operate (PTO). Your system goes live and starts saving.
Total typical timeline: 8–16 weeks from contract to power-on.
Complete solar + Powerwall systems before incentives. Hawaii state tax credit (35% up to $5,000), 30% federal battery credit, and BYOD+ upfront payment can reduce net cost by 40–50%.
Calculate Your Net CostSolar panels and inverters before incentives. Hawaii state tax credit applies. Battery can be added later at any time.
Solar-Only EstimateHawaii offers some of the best solar and battery incentives in the nation.
Apply when you file your Hawaii state taxes. No income limit. Applies to solar PV systems.
Battery storage systems >3kWh qualify for the 30% Investment Tax Credit through 2032.
$400/kW upfront plus monthly credits for 5-year participation. Additional $400/kW for LMI households.
Earn credits for excess solar exported during peak hours (5–9pm on Oahu). Battery maximizes this.
Honolulu County exempts 100% of solar system value from property taxes for 25 years.
The residential solar ITC expired Dec 2025. The battery credit remains available through 2032.
Every installer is our employee, not a subcontractor. Quality control from start to finish.
Founded 1993. More Hawaii solar experience than almost any competitor.
Certified by Tesla for Powerwall installation. Access to the latest equipment and training.
Expert in microinverter technology. Panel-level monitoring and optimization.
Need AC, roofing, or EV charging too? We do it all — one company, one project, no hassle.
Pearl City-based, Ekimura family. We live here, we work here, we stand behind every install.
For most homeowners, yes. Since legacy net metering (NEM) and CGS+ programs closed, all new solar goes on HECO’s SRE program with time-of-use rates. Battery lets you store daytime solar and export during peak (5–9pm) at $0.329/kWh — 2.5x the daytime rate. Without a battery, you only earn $0.135/kWh for daytime exports. Battery also provides backup power during outages.
Solar-only can work if your household uses most electricity during daytime hours (home offices, daytime AC use, pool pumps), if budget is a primary constraint, or if your roof space limits system size. Even without a battery, solar on SRE Export still reduces your bill — you just won’t capture the peak-rate premium. You can always add a battery later.
It depends on your electricity bill and usage patterns. A typical $350/month HECO bill usually needs a 7–9kW system. With battery, we often recommend slightly oversizing to maximize peak-hour exports. Use our solar calculator for a precise estimate.
With Powerwall, your home switches to battery power in less than 20 milliseconds — you won’t even notice. Solar panels continue recharging the battery during the day for extended backup. Without a battery, panels shut off for safety as required by grid regulations. Enphase IQ8 microinverters can provide limited daytime power even without a battery.
BYOD+ is HECO’s battery incentive program. You receive $400/kW upfront plus monthly export credits. In exchange, HECO can dispatch energy from your battery during a 2-hour peak window you select. 5-year commitment with 20% battery reserve always maintained for backup. Full details →
Yes. Battery retrofit is one of our most popular services. Powerwall integrates with existing solar systems and still qualifies for the 30% federal tax credit. No changes to your existing panels or inverter needed in most cases.
Solar panels carry a 25-year warranty and typically last 30–35 years. At year 25, expect approximately 92% of original output. Tesla Powerwall carries a 10-year warranty.
Yes, everything. Building permits, electrical permits, HECO interconnection applications, BYOD+ enrollment, and all inspections. You sign the contract and we take care of the rest.
Get a free, no-obligation proposal with exact pricing, system design, battery sizing, and savings projection.
"Our bill dropped from $600 to $200 a month. Best investment we've ever made."
"When the power went out during the last storm, our Powerwall kicked in instantly. We didn't even notice until the neighbors told us."
"Bill from over $200 down to $18 a month. The solar and battery combination is the best investment we've made."
Leadership, certifications, and the crew behind 10,000+ installations.
Panel, battery, inverter, and workmanship coverage — published in full.
Cash, loan, lease, and PPA compared with real Hawaii numbers.
Complete guide to Powerwall, Enphase, sizing, costs, and BYOD+.