General Solar
Yes. The federal credit’s expiration changed the math, but Hawaiʻi’s $0.40+/kWh electricity rates (about three times the national average) still make residential solar one of the best investments available in any state. With the 35% Hawaiʻi state credit (up to $5,000), HECO BYOD Plus battery incentives, and the savings from self-consumption, a typical 10 kW system on Oʻahu pays itself back in 7 to 10 years.
Most residential Oʻahu solar installations fall between $18,000 and $32,000 before incentives, depending on system size, panel brand, and whether a battery is included. After the Hawaiʻi state RETITC and any HECO BYOD Plus incentives, net costs typically drop $5,000 to $7,000.
6 to 12 weeks from contract to activation is typical. Permitting and HECO interconnection account for most of the timeline; physical installation is 1 to 3 days.
Not in the traditional sense. Hawaiʻi shifted from net metering to net billing programs years ago. New residential customers on Oʻahu typically interconnect under HECO’s Customer Grid-Supply Plus (CGS+) program, where excess exported power is credited at a rate set by the Public Utilities Commission, generally below the retail rate. This is why batteries are now central to maximizing solar economics in Hawaiʻi.
Batteries
In 2026 Hawaiʻi, the answer is closer to yes than no. Because exported power is credited at less than retail rates, the savings on a solar system come primarily from the power you use yourself. A battery captures daytime solar for evening and overnight use, which is the single biggest economic lever in Hawaiʻi solar today. It also keeps your home powered during HECO outages.
All three are excellent in Hawaiʻi conditions. Powerwall 3 has the highest continuous power output and integrates seamlessly with Tesla solar. Enphase IQ pairs naturally with Enphase microinverters and offers modular capacity. FranklinWH offers strong whole-home backup at competitive pricing. We recommend based on your existing solar (if any), your home’s load profile, and your goals, not based on which manufacturer pays us more.
BYOD Plus is Hawaiian Electric’s current battery incentive program for customers with rooftop solar. It pays an upfront incentive plus recurring credits in exchange for letting HECO use a small portion of your battery’s capacity during grid stress events. We enroll your system as part of installation.
EV Chargers
Standard Level 2 home installations typically run $1,200 to $2,500 fully installed, depending on wire run, charger model, and any electrical work required.
Not always. 200-amp panels typically have room. 100-amp panels often do not, at which point we evaluate whether a service upgrade or a smart-panel load management solution (like SPAN) is the better fit.
Electrical & Panels
Common signs: breakers trip frequently, lights flicker when appliances cycle on, outlet covers feel warm, the panel is a Federal Pacific or Zinsco brand (both have documented fire-hazard history), you can see corrosion or scorching, or you are planning to add solar, a battery, an EV charger, or central AC.
Permitting takes 1 to 2 weeks. The swap itself takes one day; power is off for 4 to 8 hours of that. HECO coordination for the meter disconnect/reconnect is bundled in.
Roofing & PV
If your roof has fewer than 10 to 15 years of remaining life, yes, replace first. A roof replacement under existing solar requires PV removal and reinstallation, which costs $3,500 to $8,000. Doing it once, in the right order, is much cheaper.
Generally no. Most solar manufacturer warranties are voided if non-certified personnel handle the panels, and the HECO interconnection work requires a licensed solar contractor. We do PV take-off and reinstall as a core service and coordinate directly with your roofer.
About 7 Star Electric
Yes. 7 Star Electric is licensed by the Hawaiʻi DCCA (license numbers in the footer), fully insured, and bonded for both residential and commercial work.