Smart Renewable Energy Tariffs
Hawaii's Smart Renewable Energy programs let you install solar, wind, biomass, or hydroelectric systems with no size limit and earn bill credits for exporting power to the grid at time-varying rates locked in for seven years, or choose a non-export option if you prefer to use or store all your power onsite. Apply through Hawaiian Electric's Customer Interconnection Tool, and note that you'll need an advanced meter and must be on a time-of-use rate to participate in the export program.
The Smart Renewable Energy Export program is available to all customer types (residential, commercial, industrial, government, schools, nonprofits) with no capacity limits, and systems installed after April 1, 2024 receive export credits at island-specific rates set by the Hawaii PUC every three years and locked for the first seven years. Customers must have an advanced meter and take service under time-of-use rates; the Non-Export option serves those who want to avoid grid export. Hawaiian Electric does not endorse specific contractors and encourages customers to obtain multiple bids.
The Hawaii PUC adopted two permanent Smart DER tariffs in December 2023 (effective April 1, 2024) replacing interim programs; existing CGS Plus, Smart Export, and similar customers will transition to Smart Renewable Energy Export after seven years in their current program, with earliest transitions beginning October 2024. Export rates are island-specific and reviewed triennially; all Smart Renewable Energy participants require advanced metering infrastructure. The program serves all sectors and renewable technologies with no size restrictions, replacing a complex prior system of multiple tariffs with varying eligibility and rate structures.
Program details
- Program ID
- 596
- Last updated
- 2/20/2026
Eligibility
- Sectors
- commercial industrial local government nonprofit residential schools state government federal government
- Technologies
- solar photovoltaics wind (all) biomass hydroelectric wind (small) hydroelectric (small) lithium-ion
Program summary
Note: The Hawaii Public Utilities Commission (PUC) issued a decision and order in December 2023 adopting two new permanent Smart DER tariff options (Smart Renewable Energy Export and Smart Renewable Energy Non-Export), which took effect on April 1, 2024. Customers taking service under one of the previous tariffs will be transitioned to the Smart Renewable Energy Export program after seven years in their current program. The summary below describes the new Smart DER tariffs, followed by the previous interim tariff options.
Smart DER Tariff Options (for systems installed on or after April 1, 2024)
Smart Renewable Energy Export
The Smart Renewable Energy Export tariff is available to all renewable energy technologies and there is no size limit. Participants must take service under a time-of-use rate, and will receive credits for energy they export to the grid at a time-varying rate that coincides with the time periods of the time-of-use rates. The export rates are island-specific and are determined by the Hawaii Public Utilities Commission every three years. Participating customers will have their export rates "locked in" for the first seven years of any new interconnection.
Smart Renewable Energy Non-Export
The Smart Renewable Energy Non-Export tariff is also available to all renewable energy technologies and there is no size limit. However, energy exports are not allowed under the tariff. All power produced by the customer either has to be used as it is produced or stored for later use.
Previous Interim Tariff Options
Customer Grid Supply Plus
The CGS Plus Tariff is available on a first-come, first-served basis to residential and "small commercial" customers (including government entities) that generate electricity using solar, wind, biomass or hydro-electric systems until the aggregate capacity limit for the specific region/utility has been met. Third-party owned and operated systems are eligible to participate in the tariff.
Customers will receive a monthly bill credit for energy delivered to the grid based on a credit rate that varies by island. Additionally, participating systems must include equipment that allows the utility to remotely control the output of the system, and curtail it as needed to ensure grid stability.
Smart Export
The Smart Export tariff is for renewable energy systems that are coupled with energy storage. Customers are expected to use excess generation to charge the battery system during daylight hours and to discharge the stored electricity in the evening. Electricity exported to the grid in the evening, overnight, and early morning hours will receive a bill credit based on an island-specific rate.
Contact & resources
- Contact email
- mtome@dbedt.hawaii.gov
- Additional resources
Please verify current program details with the administering agency before making any financial decisions.
