Hawaii Net Metering in 2026: What Replaced NEM and What It Means for Your Home

Here is the short answer on Hawaii net metering: the original Net Energy Metering program closed to new applicants in October 2015, and it is not coming back. That single fact still shapes how every new solar system in Hawaii should be designed in 2026. The replacement programs reward homeowners differently, and they make batteries far more valuable than they were a decade ago. ProVision Solar designs every Residential Solar Installation around today’s rules, not yesterday’s. Here is what changed, what runs in its place, and how to get the most from the current programs.

Is Hawaii Net Metering Still Available in 2026?

No. Hawaii net metering closed to new residential applicants in October 2015, when the Hawaii Public Utilities Commission ended the Net Energy Metering program for new customers, per the Hawaii Public Utilities Commission. Homeowners who enrolled before the deadline keep their NEM agreements, and Hawaiian Electric has confirmed that existing NEM and NEM Plus customers are not required to transition to newer programs, per Hawaiian Electric.

Why Hawaii Net Metering Ended

Hawaii net metering ended because rooftop solar succeeded faster in Hawaii than almost anywhere in the country. Under NEM, every exported kilowatt-hour earned a full retail credit, and with some of the highest solar adoption rates in the nation, midday exports began to strain island grids that cannot borrow power from neighboring states. Regulators replaced NEM with programs that manage when and how energy flows to the grid.

What Replaced Net Metering in Hawaii?

Hawaiian Electric now offers the Smart Renewable Energy programs, a simplified set of options that replaced the patchwork of post-NEM programs. Smart Renewable Energy Export provides export bill credits and is open to all renewable technologies with no project size limits. Smart Renewable Energy Non-Export allows systems of any size that do not send power to the grid. Both require an advanced meter, per Hawaiian Electric program documentation.

The practical difference from the old net metering model is simple: exported energy no longer automatically earns full retail value. That is why system design now focuses on using more of your own solar power at home instead of treating the grid as a battery. For most households, that means sizing the system to actual daytime and evening usage, choosing export or non-export enrollment based on lifestyle, and adding storage where the numbers support it. A good installer models all three options against your last twelve months of electric bills before recommending one.

How Do Batteries Change the Math Without NEM?

A home battery replaces most of what net metering used to do for Hawaii homeowners. Instead of exporting midday solar for partial credit, a battery stores that energy and discharges it in the evening when your household actually uses it, which offsets electricity priced at roughly three times the national average, per 2025 data from the U.S. Energy Information Administration.

Batteries can also earn money directly. Hawaiian Electric’s Bring Your Own Device Plus program pays incentives to customers who install a new battery and allow it to dispatch stored energy during specified periods. Pairing your panels with a Tesla Powerwall Installation positions your home for both the savings and the program income.

Is Solar Still Worth It in Hawaii Without Net Metering?

Yes. Solar remains worth it in Hawaii without net metering because the underlying economics never depended on NEM alone. Hawaii’s electricity rates are the highest in the United States, and the average Hawaii solar homeowner is projected to save about $48,680 over 25 years, per August 2026 data from EnergySage. The state’s mandate of 100% renewable electricity by 2045 also means programs supporting rooftop solar are a long-term fixture of Hawaii policy, not a temporary perk.

The key is designing for the current rules. A right-sized system with storage can capture most of the value the old program offered. Check the incentives that stack on top, including the 35% state tax credit, on our Hawaii Solar Incentives page, or Contact Us Today for a design built around today’s programs.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does Hawaii still have net metering in 2026?

No. Hawaii closed its Net Energy Metering program to new applicants in October 2015. Homeowners who already have NEM agreements keep them, but new solar customers enroll in Hawaiian Electric’s Smart Renewable Energy programs, which credit exported energy differently than the old full retail rate.

What replaced net metering in Hawaii?

Hawaiian Electric’s Smart Renewable Energy programs replaced net metering for new customers. The Export option provides bill credits for energy sent to the grid, while the Non-Export option serves systems that keep all power on site. Battery owners can also earn incentives through the Bring Your Own Device Plus program.

Do I lose my NEM agreement if I already have one?

No. Existing Net Energy Metering customers keep their agreements, and Hawaiian Electric has stated that NEM and NEM Plus customers are not required to transition to the newer programs. Homeowners considering system changes should confirm how modifications could affect their agreement before making upgrades, since some equipment changes can trigger a program transition.

Is solar worth it in Hawaii without net metering?

Yes. Hawaii has the highest electricity rates in the nation, roughly three times the national average, so a well-designed solar and battery system still delivers strong savings. EnergySage estimates average 25-year savings of about 48,680 dollars for Hawaii solar homeowners as of 2026.

Design Your System for Today’s Rules

The end of Hawaii net metering changed how smart systems are designed, but it did not change the fundamentals: Hawaii sunshine is abundant and Hawaii grid power is expensive. ProVision Solar has designed island systems through every program era since 1998. Contact Us Today and we will show you exactly how the current programs would work for your home.

Information pertaining to laws, regulations, or incentives is accurate at the time of writing this content. However, regulations and systems can change at anytime.