Interconnection Standards (Hawaii)

Last modified on February 12, 2015.

Rules Regulations Policies Program

Place	Hawaii
Name	Interconnection Standards
Incentive Type	Interconnection
Applicable Sector	Commercial, Fed. Government, Industrial, Nonprofit, Residential, Schools, State Government
Eligible Technologies	Biomass, CHP/Cogeneration, Fuel Cells, Geothermal Electric, Hydroelectric, Landfill Gas, Microturbines, Municipal Solid Waste, Other Distributed Generation Technologies, Photovoltaics, Solar Thermal Electric, Wind
Active Incentive	Yes
Implementing Sector	State/Territory
Energy Category	Renewable Energy Incentive Programs
Applicable Utilities	Investor-owned utilities
External Disconnect Switch	Required
Insurance Requirements	Generally required
Net Metering Required	No
Standard Agreement	Yes
System Capacity Limit	No limit specified
Date added to DSIRE	2003-08-21
Last DSIRE Review	2012-09-27
Last Substantive Modification to Summary by DSIRE	2011-12-09
References	DSIRE

Summary

Hawaii has established simplified interconnection rules for small renewables and separate rules for all other distributed generation (DG). For inverter-based systems up to 10 kilowatts (kW) in capacity (and inverter-based DG under 250 kW on islands other than Kauai), there is a simple application process for interconnection. Systems must use inverters compliant with IEEE 1547 and UL 1741. For other smaller systems, there are simplified interconnection procedures for net metered systems powered by solar, wind, biomass and hydroelectric up to 50 kW on Kauai and 100 kW in capacity on the other islands.

The state's largest electric utility, Hawaiian Electric Company (HECO), which owns Hawaii Electric Light Company (HELCO) and Maui Electric Company (MECO), uses a set of simple interconnection guidelines. HECO also uses a simple, net-metering agreement. A manual, lockable disconnect switch is required for net-metered systems, and mutual indemnification is required. The state's only other utility, Kauai Island Utility Cooperative (KIUC), has a similar set of rules for net metering and interconnection. In May 2010, A Public Utilities Commission (PUC) decision and order created a standard three-party interconnection agreement.

Two dockets were opened in 2006 to streamline interconnection procedures: (1) PUC Docket No. 2006-0497 (Hawaiian Electric Co., Hawaii Electric Light Co., and Maui Electric Co.,); and (2) PUC Docket No. 2006-0498 (KIUC). The PUC issued a decision and order for each of these dockets in April and May 2008, and more streamlined procedures for interconnection were adopted. KIUC provides a fast-track process for small generating facilities under two megawatts (MW), while larger systems must undergo more extensive review.

In November 2011, the Public Utilities Commission issued a decision and order to improve Hawaii's interconnection standards. The order approved a supplemental review process and other measures to limit the scope of systems that must conduct an Interconnection Requirements Study (IRS). In the past, a system would automatically have to conduct an IRS if the project did not meet certain technical screening criteria. In particular, the 15% circuit penetration threshold often triggered an IRS. With the new rules, if certain technical screening criteria are not met, the utility will conduct a supplemental review if a customer chooses to proceed with interconnection. The supplemental review will determine if simplified interconnection can take place, if interconnection requirements beyond simplified interconnection are needed, or if an IRS is needed. The new rules have set timelines in the interconnection process, including a timeline for dispute resolution. Under the new rules, a meeting to resolve a dispute must be scheduled within 15 days of a written request being submitted.

Incentive Contact

Contact Name	Public Information - Hawaii PUC
Department	Hawaii Public Utilities Commission
Address	465 South King Street, Room 103
Place	Honolulu, Hawaii
Zip/Postal Code	96813
Phone	(808) 586-2020
Email	Hawaii.PUC@hawaii.gov
Website	http://www.hawaii.gov/budget/puc

Authorities (Please contact the if there are any file problems.)

Authority 1:	HRS § 269-101 et seq.
Date Enacted	6/25/2001 (subsequently amended)

Authority 2:	HI PUC Docket No. 2010-0015, Decision and Order
Date Enacted	2011-11-29

Authority 3:	Decision and Order No. 24159
Date Enacted	2008-04-18

Authority 4:	Decision and Order No. 24238
Date Enacted	2008-05-22

Authority 5:	HI PUC Order No. 19773
Date Effective	2002-11-15
Date Enacted	2002-11-15

• Incentive and policy data are reviewed and approved by the N.C. Solar Center's DSIRE project staff.