Community Renewable Energy Program
Administered by Hawaii Public Utilities Commission
Hawaii's Community-Based Renewable Energy program lets you subscribe to a share of a local solar project and receive credits on your electric bill, even if you rent, lack roof space, or can't afford your own system. Find active projects and enroll at CommunityEnergyHawaii.com with your Hawaiian Electric account number and service address zip code; if you move within the same island, your subscription moves with you.
As a Subscriber Organization, you can develop, own, or operate CBRE projects across Hawaii's islands, with Phase 2 offering up to 235 MW total capacity and 30 MW reserved for projects under 250 kW. Credit rates are set by the PUC framework for small projects ($0.15/kWh on Oahu and Hawaii Island, $0.165/kWh on Maui) or determined through competitive RFP bids for larger projects; Phase 2 also requires three dedicated low-income projects (one per major island).
Phase 1 CBRE launched June 2018 with 8 MW capacity across five islands at PUC-set credit rates; Phase 2 (adopted April 2020, now active) expands capacity to 235 MW, dedicates 30 MW for projects under 250 kW with streamlined tariffs, and mandates three low-income projects. The program serves Hawaiian Electric customers across residential, commercial, nonprofit, school, and institutional sectors through Subscriber Organizations who bill customers directly for renewable energy credits applied against utility accounts.
Program details
- Program ID
- 22458
- Effective
- 6/8/2015
- Last updated
- 2/23/2026
Eligibility
- Sectors
- commercial local government nonprofit residential schools multifamily residential low income residential institutional
- Technologies
- solar photovoltaics
Program summary
Senate Bill 1050, enacted in June 2015, created the Hawaii Community-Based Renewable Energy (CBRE) program. The legislation established the broad parameters for the program, and charged the Public Utilities Commission with further fleshing out the rules and approving CBRE tariffs filed by the utilities.
Phase 1 CBRE
In December 2017, the Commission adopted a Phase 1 CBRE Framework and directed the utilities to file tariffs consistent with the framework. The framework adopted different capacity allocations and credit rates for the different islands:
- Oahu - 5.0 MW, $0.15/kWh
- Hawaii Island - 1.0 MW, $0.15/kWh
- Maui - 1.0 MW, $0.165/kWh
- Molokai - 0.5 MW, $0.225/kWh
- Lanai - 0.5 MW, $0.26/kWh
Phase 1 was launched in June 2018.
Phase 2 CBRE
In April 2020, the Commission adopted a Phase 2 CBRE Framework. Phase 2 features an increased aggregate capacity cap from 8 MW in Phase 1 to 235 MW. It also includes a requirement for three dedicated LMI projects, one on Oahu, one on Hawaii Island, and one on Maui. The order also set aside 30 MW of the total program capacity for projects smaller than 250 kW, and directed HECO to develop a simplified tariff for these projects. For the first tranche of small projects, the credit rates will remain the same as for Phase 1: $0.15/kWh for Oahu and Hawaii, and $0.165/kWh for Maui. Larger projects will be chosen by HECO through RFPs, and subscriber organizations and project developers will propose their own credit rates in their bids.
Contact & resources
- Additional resources
Please verify current program details with the administering agency before making any financial decisions.
