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Best Solar Companies in Honolulu, HI

We compared 7 brands and chose the top solar energy companies

    • Top overall
      Sunrun
      4.2(3,033)
    • Customer service
      ION Solar
      4.4(114)
    • Customizable upgrades
      LA Solar Group
      4.0(14)

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      Best Solar Companies in Honolulu, HI

      Our top solar company picks for Honolulu

      1. Best overall: Sunrun
      2. Our pick for customer service: ION Solar
      3. Great for customizable upgrades: LA Solar Group

      The ConsumerAffairs Research Team compared popular solar companies in Honolulu on ratings and reviews, equipment options, warranty terms and other factors. While our picks may be Authorized Partners that compensate us, this does not affect our evaluations. Read the full methodology for all the details on how ConsumerAffairs makes solar company recommendations.

      Why trust ConsumerAffairs?
      • Our recommendations are based on what reviewers say.
      • 4,571,386 reviews on ConsumerAffairs are verified.
      • We require contact information to ensure our reviewers are real.
      • We use intelligent software that helps us maintain the integrity of reviews.
      • Our moderators read all reviews to verify quality and helpfulness.

      The best solar companies in Honolulu

      Solar can be a big investment. Our goal is to highlight companies best equipped to meet most Honolulu residents’ energy needs.

      Our top pick overall

      Sunrun

      4.2
      3,033 reviews
      Max. panel efficiency
      22%
      Panel warranty
      Varies
      Payment options
      Cash, loan, lease
      Year founded
      2007

      We’ve talked to more than 2,000 Sunrun customers. Over a recent two-year period, 77% were satisfied with their installations and 73% were satisfied with the technology. Many tell us about significant savings on electric bills. We also like that its leasing program lets you go solar without a huge upfront investment.

      • “I've been a Sunrun customer for a while, and I initially chose them because I had used their services before. Overall, I'm happy with the experience of switching to solar panels with Sunrun. I noticed that my electricity bill is a little cheaper now compared to before — sometimes it's noticeable, thanks to a combination of billing from both Sunrun and Hawaii Electric.” — Howard in Waianae
      • “Sunrun saves you money. We save 10% a year.” — Wayne in Honolulu 
      • “The locals were great. They dealt with a difficult HOA as best they could. All questions were answered fully and promptly. My only negative would be the engineering team being located on the mainland in a different time zone. They could not physically review the site so mistakes in planning were made.” — Janson in Ewa Beach 

      A few customers told us Sunrun wasn’t helpful when they needed help with repairs after their installations were complete. Also, make sure you read the fine print carefully — some reviewers have said they are not satisfied with the contract terms.

      Sunrun specializes in residential solar systems with battery storage. Installers use monocrystalline panels from reputable manufacturers like LG.

      • Energy services: Sunrun designs and installs customized solar panel systems for homes and businesses. Technicians provide ongoing maintenance and monitoring to ensure optimal performance.
      • Warranty information: Sunrun provides a 10-year warranty on workmanship and equipment, roof leak protection and a 25-year performance guarantee.
      • Payment options: You can pay for your system upfront or take out a loan, but Sunrun leasing plans really set it apart. With leases, there’s no initial charge for panels, equipment, installation or permits. Sunrun owns the system, and you pay a fixed monthly fee to use it. Lease contracts typically last 25 years and include free repairs during that time.

      Pros

      • Reliable systems
      • Flexible payment options
      • Comprehensive warranties
      • Daily system monitoring

      Cons

      • Occasional installation delays
      • Some customer service complaints
      • Occasional billing issues
      Our pick for customer service

      ION Solar

      4.4
      114 reviews
      Max. panel efficiency
      21.9%
      Panel warranty
      30 years
      Payment options
      Cash, loan
      Year founded
      2013
      ION Solar offers multiple solar options suitable for different needs and budgets. From helpful sales reps to knowledgeable installers, the company really stands out for its strong customer service. We suggest getting a personalized quote to see if ION Solar is a good fit for you.
      • “We had about 50 different solar people coming to our door every single day. We talked to about seven other solar companies before ION, and they were super used car salesman-type people. When the ION guy showed up, he was very not a salesman. He was no pressure. He showed us everything. It wasn't like a sales pitch. It didn't feel like any pressure. He just said what they could do, did everything, and it was really cool.” — Chris in Hawaii
      • “A guy from ION Solar came by the house and he knocked on the door. He was really informed. We sat down and talked and he explained a lot of things to me about how the solar is taking over the electric company and how five years from now, the energy companies are gonna be going up about 5% every year over the next so many years and I was really impressed with it. As far as the installation goes, they did a good job. They were in and out in about a couple of hours. They were professional. I would recommend ION extremely highly myself.” — Larry in Hawaii
      Reviewers in other states sometimes mention communication issues or installation delays. These types of complaints are common in the industry. Solar installations are complicated projects — there’s always a chance that projected timelines change due to weather, supply chain issues and other factors.

      ION Solar’s NABCEP-certified installers use Silfab solar panels and Enphase microinverters. Most projects are completed in 60 to 90 days.

      • Energy services: Reps coordinate solar system designs and installations as well as roofing services if needed. Energy production monitoring and ongoing system maintenance are available after the installation is complete.
      • Warranty information: All work performed during the installation is covered for 10 years. Panels are guaranteed to produce at least 85% capacity for 30 years. Enphase microinverters come with a 25-year warranty.
      • Payment options: You can purchase or finance the system through a solar loan. Rates and terms vary.

      Pros

      • No upfront payment required
      • 24/7 monitoring
      • Good customer service
      • Solid warranty

      Cons

      • Some communication issues
      • Occasional installation delays
      Our pick for customizable upgrades

      LA Solar Group

      4.0
      14 reviews
      Max. panel efficiency
      Varies
      Panel warranty
      25 years
      Payment options
      Cash, loan, lease, PPA
      Year founded
      2010

      LA Solar Group gets consistently positive feedback on its competitive pricing and overall good service. You can expect prompt customer service, a streamlined installation process and lower monthly bills after the project is complete.

      We’ve heard some minor complaints about installation delays, communication issues or billing problems.

      LA Solar Group specializes in residential, commercial and government solar panel installations. It’s an authorized Tesla installer, so it has high-performance solar panels with a sleek, black-on-black design. The company is based in San Fernando, California, and currently services Hawaii, California, Nevada and Texas.

      • Energy services: We like that there are four monitoring app options to track your solar output and usage: Enphase, SolaEdge, Hoymiles and Tesla.
      • Warranty information: The company also stands out for its 25-year performance guarantee and roof leak warranty.
      • Payment options: LA Solar’s partner network includes Mosaic, Sunlight Financial, Sungage Financial, Matadors Community Credit Union, Admirals Bank, EnerBank, GreenSky, Energy Loan Network, HERO, RENEW Financial and Ygrene. You can also enter a lease or PPA.

      Pros

      • Overall positive reviews
      • Solid warranty and performance guarantee
      • Roofing, EV charging and other services available
      • Lots of local experience

      Cons

      • Some complaints about billing
      • Some installation delays

      How we chose the best solar companies in Honolulu

      We took a data-driven approach, informed by expert editors and considering the tropical climate, to choose the best solar companies in Honolulu, Hawaii, based on the following key features and respective weightings:

      • Reviews, ratings and testimonials: 40%
      • Warranty terms: 20%
      • Equipment selection: 20%
      • Financing and payment options: 20%

      » MORE: Full methodology

      Honolulu solar panel buyers guide

      Hawaii ranked as the best state for going solar in 2024. But it doesn’t work out for everybody. Here’s what Honolulu residents should look for when choosing a solar panel installation company. We’ll also touch on overall costs and ways to save with government incentives.

      Key insights

      A typical residential solar panel installation costs $27,223 in Honolulu.

      Jump to insight

      Solar loans, leases and other programs make it easy to go solar with minimal upfront costs.

      Jump to insight

      Solar scammers in Honolulu may falsely claim to be affiliated with a Honolulu County or Hawaii government agency.

      Jump to insight

      Solar panel costs in Honolulu

      A typical solar panel installation costs anywhere from $12,110 to $34,600 in Hawaii. Prices in Honolulu are comparable, ranging from $11,970 to $34,200.

      This doesn’t include an energy storage battery, which sometimes costs as much as the panels: $7,000 to $18,000. A battery lets you store excess energy generated during the day and use it when your panels aren’t producing, like at night or during outages. It’s worth considering if your area gets frequent blackouts or if you don’t opt into Honolulu’s net metering program.

      System size is the other major solar cost factor. The average Honolulu household needs a system with a capacity of 7.96 kW (kilowatt) to fully offset their electricity costs. Depending on how much energy you and your family use, you might need a smaller or larger one.

      Average total solar installation costs by system size in Honolulu

      How can I pay for solar panels?

      Several local programs make it easy to finance solar panels: The City of Honolulu offers loans up to $300,000 with 0% interest and terms up to 20 years. The Hawai’i Green Infrastructure Authority, Solar for All and the Solar HUI Investment Fund also help residents pay for clean energy upgrades.

      In general, solar loans work like any other type of loan. They have relatively low fixed interest rates. Once you pay it off, you own your system outright.

      Solar leases are a good option if you have limited savings and don’t want to take on debt. A potential downside to leasing is that you won’t be eligible for the federal solar tax credit. Similar to leasing, a power purchase agreement (PPA) lets you get the benefits of solar without actually owning the equipment.

      » SOLAR PANELS: Buy vs. lease

      Is solar worth it in Honolulu?

      Solar panels are generally worth it in Hawaii if you like the idea of lowering your monthly utility bills. On average, Honolulu homeowners with solar panels can avoid $64,565 in total utility costs over 25 years.

      High retail electricity prices are a key reason Hawaii is such a good place for people to install solar panels on their roofs. The potential savings are so clear that they more than make up for the state’s limits on net metering eligibility and relatively low compensation rates for excess power generation. One resident, Chris in Oahu, said their monthly utility bill went from $200 to $25 after going solar.

      I live in Hawaii, so why put all this beautiful sunlight to waste?
      — Thomas, a solar customer in Honolulu

      The main drawback is the high upfront cost of purchasing and installing the panels and equipment. Assuming an upfront purchase, it takes about 6 years to break even (when your savings with solar panels make up for the cost). On the bright side, solar loans, leases and other programs let you go solar with minimal upfront costs.

      Considering Hawaii averages 5.5 to 6.5 peak sun hours each day, switching to solar is also worth considering for the environmental benefits. Another resident, Thomas in Honolulu, put it this way: “I live in Hawaii, so why put all this beautiful sunlight to waste?”

      We suggest using NREL’s PVWatts Calculator to estimate how much electricity a solar panel can produce over a year on your house. Project Sunroof is a reliable online solar savings estimator. You can also use this worksheet to calculate the total output capacity and cost of your future system.

      Potential roof problems

      As a rule of thumb, if your roof is more than 10 years old, consider fixing it before going solar. Installing solar panels on an old roof might mean you have to remove the panels, replace your roof and then reinstall the panels again. This is an expensive and frustrating process.

      » SHOULD YOU: Replace your roof before going solar?

      How to find a reputable solar company in Honolulu

      In our experience, the best solar companies in Hawaii have a few things in common: lots of experience, reliable equipment and transparent contracts. Watch out for door-to-door solar scams that attempt to gather your personal information, misleading claims, false advertising and aggressive sales tactics.

      • Check certifications: In Hawaii, general engineering contractors are automatically licensed to install solar systems. You can verify a contractor's license through the state's Professional and Vocational Licensing Division. We also recommend choosing an installer certified through the North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners (NABCEP).
      • Read reviews: Avoid companies with recurring complaints about misleading sales tactics, equipment failures, billing issues and lack of communication.
      • Ask questions: Do you need a solar storage battery, electric vehicle (EV) charger or critter guards? How does this affect overall pricing? What if your system needs maintenance? If you don’t understand something about the payment terms, warranty or ongoing services, ask for clarification.

      » TIPS: Get the best solar quotes

      Residential solar panel incentives in Honolulu

      The 30% federal solar investment tax credit (ITC) is a significant incentive for most homeowners. It reduces your federal tax liability by 30% of how much it costs to install solar panels. You can combine the ITC with local solar incentives in Hawaii to maximize savings.

      For instance, Hawaii’s Renewable Energy Technologies Income Tax Credit (RETITC) lets individuals and businesses claim credits for renewable energy installations, including 35% of the cost for solar installations (capped at $2,250 for single-family, $350 per unit for multi-family and $250,000 to $500,000 for commercial).

      Honolulu solar FAQ

      How does the federal solar tax credit work?

      The ITC is a credit, meaning it directly decreases the amount of taxes you owe. This is different from a deduction, which lowers your taxable income.

      For example, if you spend $10,000 installing a solar panel system, the ITC is worth $3,000. If you owe $5,000 in taxes, the $3,000 credit reduces what you owe to $2,000. Any unused portion rolls over to the next tax year. However, it’s possible to get a refund check if the ITC credit reduces your taxes to the point where you overpaid during the year.

      Do I need approval from my HOA to install solar panels?

      In Hawaii, homeowners generally do not need permission from their local government or HOA to install solar panels on their roofs, thanks to the state's Solar Rights Act. This law reflects Hawaii's strong commitment to renewable energy. However, since regulations vary by location, it's smart to check with local authorities or associations before proceeding with solar installations.

      » GREENEST STATES: Hawaii ranked 48th in 2024

      How does net metering work in Honolulu?

      Net metering lets you send excess power that your solar panels generate into your local power grid. In return, you can earn credits on future utility bills. These credits can then offset your bill when your solar panels don't produce as much energy, like on cloudy days. Though NEM is no longer available, Hawaiian Electric is offering new programs for customers with traditional rooftop PV systems and those using new energy-storage technologies.

      How does a power purchase agreement work?

      A third party installs and maintains solar panels on your property. You buy the power generated by the panels on a per kilowatt-hour (kWh) basis. It’s typically a fixed price, with a cheaper cents/kWh rate than traditional utilities have for the same amount of electricity.

      What are the different types of solar panels?

      Monocrystalline and polycrystalline are the most common types of solar panels used in residential installations. In general, monocrystalline panels are considered the best bang for your buck. Cheaper solar panels are typically polycrystalline. The key difference is in materials and efficiency: Monocrystalline panels use pure, single silicon crystals, while polycrystalline panels are made from melted silicon fragments, resulting in different efficiency levels.

      Solar panel efficiency is a measure of how well a panel makes electricity. Standard efficiency rates range from 19% to 23%, which means 19% to 23% of the sunlight that hits the panels gets converted into electricity. The more efficient the solar panels you buy are, the fewer panels you need. While more efficient panels cost a little more, you save by buying fewer panels.

      Methodology: How we chose the best solar companies in Honolulu

      The ConsumerAffairs Research Team used a research-backed, data-driven approach, which was informed by our expert editors, to choose the best solar companies. We prefer to recommend those with a longer time in business and a solid track record of reliability in Honolulu, Hawaii. For this guide, we objectively weighted several key features to get our final rankings:

      Reviews, ratings and testimonials: 40%
      We analyzed solar company reviews by verified solar customers to gauge real-world satisfaction. Companies with generally positive feedback on our site scored highest in this aspect. Those with the most 4- and 5-star reviews by verified Honolulu customers were given preference.

      Warranties: 20%
      A long warranty is important — it shows that a company stands behind its products and services. We compared companies on both equipment and craftsmanship warranty terms. All of our top picks for professional installation have warranties or production guarantees of at least 10 to 25 years.

      Equipment selection: 20%
      We evaluated each company’s selection of solar panels, storage batteries and inverters. Those with proprietary technology or a wide equipment selection from trusted brands ranked highest.

      Financing and payment options: 20%
      We gave preference to companies that offer multiple payment and financing options for transparent terms and conditions.

      ConsumerAffairs Research Team regularly evaluates customer reviews, company information and industry trends to update our top picks:

      1. Sunrun
      2. ION Solar
      3. LA Solar Group

      Not sure how to choose?

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        Guide Sources

        ConsumerAffairs writers primarily rely on government data, industry experts and original research from reputable publications to inform their work. Specific sources for this article include:

        1. EnergySage, "The cost of solar panels in Honolulu, HI." Accessed Oct. 17, 2024.
        2. SolarReviews, "How much do solar panels cost in Hawaii, 2024." Accessed Oct. 17, 2024.
        3. Solar Energy Industries Association, "Hawaii Solar." Accessed Oct. 17, 2024.
        4. DSIRE, "Hawaii Programs." Accessed Oct. 17, 2024.
        5. EnergySage, "The cost of solar panels in Hawaii." Accessed March 29, 2024.
        6. Federal Trade Commission, "Solar Power for Your Home." Accessed Sept. 19, 2024.
        7. Honolulu Civil Beat, "Will A New Order Shut The Door On Future Rooftop Solar Across Hawaii?" Accessed Nov. 19, 2024.
        8. State of Hawaii Department of Taxation, "Renewable Energy Technologies Income Tax Credit (RETITC) – HRS §235-12.5." Accessed Nov. 19, 2024.

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