HECO to Update Lawmakers on Backlogged PV Interconnections

Photovoltaic. Photo courtesy of Living Off Grid.

By Maui Now Staff

State lawmakers will hold a joint Senate-House informational briefing on Tuesday, Jan. 20, 2015, at 1 p.m. for an update on Hawaiian Electric Company’s recent policy changes to solar interconnection.

The new policy, which went into effect on Sept. 6, 2013, requires approval from HECO before any solar photovoltaic installation. Since the policy change, many solar customers have been facing delays in getting their PV systems connected to the grid.

Hawaiian Electric Company, Hawai‘i Solar Energy Association, Hawai‘i PV Coalition, and The Alliance for Solar Choice will discuss the status of the solar interconnection queue, non-export solar PV systems, and plans for the future integration of distributed generation.

In October, HECO announced a plan to start clearing the backlog of customers awaiting connection to the grid by April 2015.  Along with solar installers, HECO funded a study to explo how residential solar can continue to grow in the state. An update on HECO’s progress and results of the study will be discussed during the briefing.

“As we kick off the 2015 session, this is a perfect time to hear where we are on roof top solar”, said Sen. Mike Gabbard, chair of the Committee on Energy and Environment. “Policies that make it easier for people to get solar PV continues to be one of my top legislative priorities.”

The briefing is hosted by Senate Committee on Energy and Environment, Senate Committee Commerce and Consumer Protection, House Committee on Energy and Environmental, and the House Committee on Protection and Consumer Protection and Commerce.