What does the Inflation Reduction Act mean for Hawaii?
You’ve probably heard of the Inflation Reduction Act, which (almost magically) just passed through Congress and will be signed this week. There’s a lot of good news in this new bill regarding renewable energy, especially if you’re looking to offset the cost of solar installation.
Where Does Hawaii Get Its Energy?
While the challenges of sustainable energy are a worldwide issue, Hawaii faces some unique obstacles when it comes to maintaining the electrical grid. Purely due to the nature of being in the middle of the Pacific Ocean, our energy needs for homes, businesses and vehicles have advanced to a point where we
The last coal shipment has sailed.
It’s happened—the last coal shipment to ever come to Hawaiian shores landed on July 27th. Hawaii’s last remaining coal plant which is operated by AES will close in September, signaling the end of an era for Hawaiian energy—and a crucial step on ending the reliance on fossil fuels.
Why is Hawaii Perfect for Residential Solar Energy?
It may seem like a no-brainer that Hawaii would be the ideal place to capitalize on solar energy. Our geographic location, tax incentives and current dependence on external energy sources all make the prospect of energy independence a promising one. But is it really all it’s cracked up to be? Is it real
Do solar panels work on rainy days?
yes, it does. Solar panels are designed to work in most conditions. However, one question that comes to mind most often
What are Solar Tax Incentives?
The Good News: There are several government incentive programs for installing solar PV. The federal government offers a 30% tax credit on solar PV systems, and in Hawaii we are given an additional credit of up to 35%! That is HUGE!
What are the upfront costs of going solar?
The answer: NOTHING. If it sounds too good to be true, let me explain… Let’s say you don’t have solar and you’re buying power from the electric company. When you buy your own solar system, you are now generating your OWN power. That means, instead of paying the electric company, you just pay off
Will my solar work if the power goes out?
If you don’t have batteries with your system, then “No”. If you have a solar PV system without batteries, your solar PV system generates energy, stores it on the grid, and you buy it back when you need to use it at a discounted rate. Because these systems are connected to the grid, your system is re
Look Out for “Vampire Devices”
Every heard of “Vampire Devices”? These are electronics that still suck up electricity, even when they’re turned off. Many of these electronics are built this way so they can respond more quickly when they are powered back on (e.g. TVs, computers, cable boxes, etc.)
I already have solar pv… can I add more panels?
Back in 2018, if you had net metering, the answer was no. BUT now you can! PLUS, you can still get tax credits on your solar additions, saving money all around!
