Hawaiian Electric seeks developers of projects small and large in latest phase of shared solar

News Release from HECO

HONOLULU, May 19, 2022 - Hawaiian Electric is seeking renewable energy project developers to kickstart shared solar, the companyʻs latest phase of community-based renewable energy (CBRE), on Hawaii Island, Maui and Oahu.

A variety of opportunities are available on the three islands for interested shared solar project developers:

• An application process is open for small projects (up to 250 kilowatts). Applications are being accepted on a first-come basis up to the program’s capacity limit for each island. For more information go to hawaiianelectric.com/sharedsolar.

  Potential solar developers and subscriber organizations that are able to recruit customers to be “subscribers” in a small project should register at https://communityenergyhawaii.com, the shared solar portal.

• Larger projects (250 kW and above) are being procured through a formal RFP process. More details can be found on the companyʻs Competitive Bidding for New Generation page. Developers, companies, organizations, or groups authorized to do business in Hawaii can submit proposals to develop shared solar projects. The organization’s proposal then undergoes an evaluation process for its proposed project(s). Organizations whose proposals are selected are then considered a “subscriber organization.”

  Proposals are being accepted for the CBRE Tranche1 RFP through Aug. 17, 2022, at 2 p.m. HST. Details are at hawaiianelectric.com/Tranche1CBRERFP.

To learn more about shared solar, Hawaiian Electric is hosting a virtual presentation for potential developers Tuesday, June 7, at 9:30 a.m. HST. To RSVP for the session, email sharedsolar@hawaiianelectric.com.

“We’re looking for developers to help launch this latest phase of shared solar, designed to bring savings and a chance to participate in the renewable energy movement to many more customers, especially those who aren’t able to install a private rooftop solar system,” said Lani Shinsato, director of customer energy resources, programs.

Shared solar provides a way for customers, or subscribers, to benefit from the electricity generated by a solar energy facility located on the same island.

Electricity from a shared solar project will enter the island grid to help the state achieve its renewable energy goals. Once a shared solar project is complete, tested and approved to begin sending electricity to the grid, subscribers will get credit on their monthly electric bill based on their level of participation in the project.

The available solar capacity of the shared solar program is over 250 megawatts, potentially including energy storage, across the five islands Hawaiian Electric serves.

Details of the shared solar program can be found on our CBRE Resources page.

A program guide for subscriber organizations that outlines the small project process can be found at hawaiianelectric.com/sharedsolar.