PlugInSolarMap.com
Take ActionNotify me
All states
☀️

New to plug-in solar?

Plug-in solar lets anyone generate free electricity — no roof, no permit, no contractor. A single panel on your balcony can meaningfully cut your bill, especially as rates keep rising.

What is plug-in solar? →How it saves you money →

Hawaii

ConsideringUpdated May 30, 2026

Hawaii has the highest electricity rates in the US at $0.39/kWh, creating compelling economics for plug-in solar. With excellent sun hours, payback would be among the fastest in the nation. No specific balcony solar bill introduced, but the Hawaii Public Utilities Commission has shown interest in distributed generation expansion.

Get notified when Hawaii goes legal

Laws are spreading state by state. One email when Hawaii passes — no spam.

Recently updated — this page was last reviewed on May 30, 2026. Law data is current as of that date.

What Your Savings Would Look Like

Based on Hawaii's $0.390/kWh avg. rate and 5.8 sun hours/day. Plan ahead — laws can change quickly.

Default: 5.8h/day (Hawaii avg)
$1,200
$900$2,200
800W
400W2400W
60%
30%100%
$0.390/kWh
$0.080/kWh$0.400/kWh
Rate Escalation Scenario
Year 1 Generation
864 kWh
72 kWh/mo
Year 1 Savings
$337
$28/mo
Payback Period
4 yrs
by year 4
25-Year Savings
$14,961
net $13,761
ℹPanels typically last 25–30 years with a 25-year output warranty. Microinverters carry a 10–25 year warranty depending on brand. Battery modules degrade faster — expect 10–15 years before capacity drops below 80%. The 25-year savings figure above assumes the panel and inverter run for the full window; budget ~$200–$400 for an inverter swap around year 15 if needed.
Cumulative Savings vs. Break-even ($)
Selected scenario2% escalation8% escalationBreak-even
Calculator AssumptionsSavings estimates are projections based on average sun hours, self-consumption assumptions, and rate escalation scenarios. Actual results vary by roof orientation, shading, usage patterns, and local rate schedules. The federal ITC for residential solar expired December 31, 2025.

Electricity Cost Trend

↑ 5.0%/yr avg — Moderate
Rates up 28% over the past 5 years
From $0.306/kWh in 2021 → $0.390/kWh today. Every year you delay solar, your bills compound.
5.0%
avg. annual increase
Historical avg. residential rate ($/kWh)
$0.306
2021
$0.321
2022
$0.337
2023
$0.354
2024
$0.371
2025
$0.390
2026
20-year projected rate
$1.035/kWh
at 5.0%/yr escalation
Extra you'll pay over 20 yrs*
$5,096
vs. today's rates (1,000 kWh/mo household)
Best time to go solar
Now
Each year of delay = a year of higher grid bills

What a Hawaii Law Could Look Like

⚡

Based on neighboring states

Utah (1,200W), Maine (600W), and Virginia (1,000W pending) provide the template. A Hawaii law would likely allow 600–1,200W systems to plug into standard household outlets — no permit required.

💸

High rates = strong economics

At Hawaii's avg. $0.390/kWh, a 600W system generating ~880 kWh/year saves roughly $343/year. Payback in as few as 2 years at current rates.

🏠

Renters and condo owners

Plug-in solar requires no permanent installation — just an outlet. This makes it uniquely accessible to renters and condo owners who can't get rooftop solar.

Stay in the Loop

We monitor all 50 state legislatures. The moment Hawaii files a plug-in solar bill, you'll be the first to know.

Legal DisclaimerLaws change. Information on this site reflects our best understanding of current statutes as of the date shown. It is not legal advice. Verify requirements with your state utility commission, local building department, and a qualified attorney before installation.