UPDATE: Per Rule 14H inverter settings need to be set at 57 Hz and 300 seconds as of December 3, 2011 for all FIT, NEM, and SIA projects interconnecting into the Hawaiian Electric distribution system. For more details refer to Rule 14.
Hawaiian Electric provides many different programs that allow you to produce power for your own use or to sell back to the utility. Whether you export power back to the grid or simply reduce the amount of power purchased from us, the Public Utilities Commission (PUC) requires that you have an interconnection agreement and, if applicable, a power contract with Hawaiian Electric Company when you generate renewable or nonrenewable electricity and remain connected “in parallel” with the utility’s grid. This includes systems such as solar (photovoltaic), wind, hydro, fuel-cell or synthetic natural gas. This site will help you understand the different ways that you can connect.
These programs are designed for customers who produce electricity for their own use:
Net Energy Metering (NEM): 0 kilowatts (kW) to 100 kW from renewable sources only; Normally for residential or small commercial customers
Standard Interconnection Agreement (SIA): Generally for renewables > 100 kW and nonrenewables of any size; Normally commercial customers
Net Energy Metering (NEM)
Standard Interconnection Agreement (SIA)
NEM projects are distributed generator units powered by an eligible renewable technology (wind, solar, hydro or biomass or a combination of these) with a capacity of up to 100 kW. With NEM, any energy you export to the grid is "stored" and credited and subtracted from the amount you would pay for electricity provided by the utility. You are billed for the net amount, down to break even (not including a fixed minimum charge to cover servicing the account). MoreInfoRule 18QuestionsForms
A SIA is for renewable and non-renewable systems. This agreement allows you to reduce the amount of energy you require from the utility by energy produced from your system. Any surplus exported to the grid will not be "stored" or credited on your bill. Rule 14EMailUsFormsReq'mts
These programs are designed for those interested in selling energy to Hawaiian Electric:
Competitive Bidding: With approval from the PUC, the utility requests bids from developers to enter a PPA for a desired amount of generation. Feed-in Tariff (FIT): Up to and including 5 MW renewable systems with standardized pricing per kWh with prices tiered by the size of your system.
Schedule Q: <100 kW with pricing varying monthly, also from renewable or non-renewable sources.
Competitive Bidding
Feed-in Tariff (FIT) - Tier 1, 2, & 3
The Framework for Competitive Bidding was adopted by the PUC as a mechanism for acquiring or building new energy generation in Hawaii. The process is initiated by Hawaiian Electric with the issuance of a Request for Proposals (RFP). All projects greater than 5MW on Oahu are subject to competitive bidding. MoreInfo
Three tiers of the Feed-In Tariff (FIT) program have been approved by the PUC. A FIT sets standard rates, terms and conditions by which renewable energy developers can sell power to the utility. Published rates and standard contract terms are intended to streamline the process for renewable developers to finance and add renewable energy to the grid. MoreInfoTariffAppendixIAppendixIITariff Tier 3AppendI Tier 3AppendII Tier 3ApplyQuestions
Schedule Q
Schedule Q describes the standard rates, terms and conditions that apply when the utility purchases as-available energy from customers with small cogeneration and/or small power production facilities of 100 kW or less in capacity. Schedule Q
For questions on selling energy to Hawaiian Electric e-mail us.
Interested in downloading shape file? Click on the appropriate company link to access the files. MECO