Renewable Energy; Portable Solar Generation Devices
Latest Action: March 19, 2026
Balcony Solar in Hawaii
Balcony solar bill failed
Verified as of September 25, 2026
Everything you need to know about plug-in balcony solar in Hawaii: legal status, tracked bills, statutory wattage limits, utility interconnection rules, and expected monthly solar production.
Legislation Summary
- Status
- Balcony solar bill failed
- Wattage allowed
- Not yet verified
- Wattage tiers
- Not yet verified
- HOA / Condo Protections
- Not yet verified
- Plug-in Battery Storage
- Not yet verified
- Renters & Tenant Rights
- Not yet verified
- Permit & Electrician DIY Status
- Not yet verified
- Utility Interconnection
- Not yet verified
- Bill
- SB 2902 - Renewable Energy; Portable Solar Generation Devices
- Date passed
- Not yet verified
- Date effective
- Not yet verified
Legal Status: Can You Plug In Solar in Hawaii?
Current Disposition: Balcony solar bill failed
Hawaii has no law addressing balcony solar. Its 2026 session considered two portable-solar bills. SB 2902 SD2 HD1 passed the Senate and was referred to House Consumer Protection and Commerce on March 19, 2026; that committee deferred HB 2486 HD1 on February 24, 2026. Neither bill has had any action since March 2026, and the Legislature's calendar set adjournment sine die for May 8, 2026.
Tracked Legislation in Hawaii
Solar Energy; Portable Solar Generation Devices
Latest Action: February 24, 2026
Estimated Solar Energy Production in Hawaii
How much electricity will a standard plug-in solar kit produce on a balcony or patio in Hawaii? Below are monthly estimates based on local insolation levels:
Standard 400W Kit
~674 kWh
Estimated annual electricity production
Dual-Panel 800W Kit
~1342 kWh
Estimated annual electricity production
| Month | Daily Peak Sun Hours | 400W Kit (1 Panel) | 800W Kit (2 Panels) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 4.8 hrs | 51 kWh | 102 kWh |
| Feb | 5.3 hrs | 51 kWh | 102 kWh |
| Mar | 5.4 hrs | 58 kWh | 115 kWh |
| Apr | 5.4 hrs | 56 kWh | 111 kWh |
| May | 5.6 hrs | 60 kWh | 119 kWh |
| Jun | 5.6 hrs | 58 kWh | 116 kWh |
| Jul | 5.6 hrs | 60 kWh | 119 kWh |
| Aug | 5.8 hrs | 62 kWh | 124 kWh |
| Sep | 5.9 hrs | 61 kWh | 122 kWh |
| Oct | 5.4 hrs | 58 kWh | 115 kWh |
| Nov | 4.8 hrs | 50 kWh | 99 kWh |
| Dec | 4.6 hrs | 49 kWh | 98 kWh |
| Annual Total | -- | ~674 kWh | ~1342 kWh |
Estimates derived from historical National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL NSRDB) solar radiation averages across weather stations in Hawaii, modeling an 86% system performance ratio.
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State Incentives & Solar Rights
- Proposed exemption from net-energy-metering and interconnection requirements for qualifying devices
- Proposed prohibition on utility approval requirements, fees, and extra equipment
- Proposed no-cost Public Utilities Commission registration system
Utility Barriers & Interconnection Rules
- Neither bill has had any action since March 2026; neither is law
- SB 2902 limits the proposed initial installation framework to condominium units
- Devices require outage anti-islanding protection and nationally recognized safety certification