The energy sector in Hawaii has rapidly adopted solar power due to the high costs of electricity, and good solar resources, and has one of the highest per capita rates of solar power in the United States.[1] Hawaii's imported energy costs, mostly for imported petroleum and coal, are three to four times higher[2] than the mainland, so Hawaii has motivation to become one of the highest users of solar energy. Hawaii was the first state in the United States to reach grid parity for photovoltaics. Its tropical location provides abundant ambient energy.
Much of Hawaii's solar capacity is distributed solar panels on individual homes and businesses. Hawaii's grid has had to deal with this unique situation by developing new technology for balancing the energy flows in areas with large amounts of solar power. In 2023, distributed solar produced 1,408 GWh while utility-scale solar produced 643 GWh.[3] Hawaii had 1,808 MW of installed solar capacity in 2023.[4] The largest utility-scale solar farm in Hawaii is the 60 MW Kuihelani Solar on Maui, which open in 2024 and includes 240 MWhr of battery storage[5] As of 2024, solar power produced 19.5% of Hawaii's electricity.[6]
- ^ Ivan Penn; Ruth Fremson (May 30, 2022). "Hit Hard by High Energy Costs, Hawaii Looks to the Sun". The New York Times.
- ^ "PUC issues interim decision in Hawaiian Electric rate case" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on October 16, 2011.
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