Hawaiian Electric: how it credits the solar power you send to the grid
Smart Renewable Energy Export credits by time of day: on Oahu 13.5 cents (9 a.m.–5 p.m.), 32.9 cents (5–9 p.m.) and 18.9 cents overnight, for 2024–2026. Other islands differ.
Checked November 12, 2026. Utilities change these rules; check the current tariff before you sign.
How it works
Hawaiian Electric credits exported power at 13.5 cents per kWh, about 33% of Hawaii's average electricity price.
Since April 2024, new solar customers export under Smart DER, which pays most in the evening peak and least at midday, when the grid has too much solar.
Maui pays 6.6 cents at midday and 18.2 cents in the evening; Hawaii Island 10.6 and 23.1 cents.
Older interim programs move to the Smart DER export track seven years after their agreement date.
Tip: A battery that holds midday power for the 5–9 p.m. window more than doubles what each stored kWh earns.
What it means for a typical Hawaii home
An average Hawaii home uses about 6,180 kWh a year. A 3.5 kW system costs about $8,995 at the 2026 median price and makes about 5,677 kWh in its first year, of which we assume about 3,406 kWh goes out to the grid because no one is home to use it.
| First-year savings | Payback | 25-year savings, after the price | |
|---|---|---|---|
| With Hawaiian Electric's credit | $1,377 | 7 years | $32,424 |
| If every exported kWh earned the full price | $2,294 | 4 years | $61,725 |
The difference, about $29,302 over 25 years, is what Hawaiian Electric's rules cost a typical system compared with full net metering. Using more of the power at home, while the sun is up, closes some of that gap. Uses Hawaii's average electricity price; Hawaiian Electric's own prices may be higher or lower. Paid in cash, no federal credit, prices rising 2.5% a year, one inverter replacement.
Utilities in neighboring states
| Utility | State | Exported power | Credit |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hawaiian Electric | Hawaii | Reduced credit (net billing) | 13.5¢ |
| PG&E | California | Reduced credit (net billing) | 4.9¢ |
| Southern California Edison (SCE) | California | Reduced credit (net billing) | 6.6¢ |
| SDG&E | California | Reduced credit (net billing) | 3.7¢ |
| LADWP | California | Full credit (net metering) | Full retail |
| SMUD | California | Reduced credit (net billing) | 9.6¢ |
| National Grid (Massachusetts) | Massachusetts | Full credit (net metering) | Full retail |
| Eversource (Massachusetts) | Massachusetts | Full credit (net metering) | Full retail |
| Eversource (Connecticut) | Connecticut | Full credit (net metering) | About 85% of retail |
All 55 utilities · Solar in Hawaii · Lease and PPA terms by company
Sources: Hawaiian Electric: Smart Renewable Energy Export; U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA), final 2025 data: Annual State Historical Spreadsheets (Form EIA-861, released October 7, 2026) and Electric Power Annual (October 21, 2026); EnergySage: median quoted price, first half of 2026.