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THE SENATE |
S.B. NO. |
669 |
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THIRTY-THIRD LEGISLATURE, 2025 |
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STATE OF HAWAII |
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A BILL FOR AN ACT
relating to PHOTOVOLTAIC ENERGY GENERATING SYSTEMS.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:
"§196- Rooftop photovoltaic energy generating system
installation required for new single-family residential
construction. (a)
Beginning January 1, 2026, no building permit shall be issued for a new
single-family dwelling that is part of a development of twenty or more
dwellings and does not include a rooftop photovoltaic energy generating
system, unless
the chief energy officer of the Hawaii state energy office approves a variance. A variance application shall only be accepted
if submitted by an architect or electrical engineer licensed under chapter 464,
who attests that:
(1) Installation is impracticable due to
poor solar resource; or
(2) Installation is cost-prohibitive
based upon a life cycle cost-benefit analysis that incorporates the average
residential utility bill and the cost of the new rooftop photovoltaic energy
generating system, including any specific interconnection costs, with a life
cycle of twenty-five years.
(b) A request for a variance shall be submitted
to the Hawaii state energy office on an application prescribed by the chief
energy officer and shall include a description of the location of the property
and justification for the approval of a variance using the criteria established
in subsection (a). A variance shall be
deemed approved if not denied within sixty working days after receipt of the
variance application. The chief energy
officer shall publicize:
(1) All applications for a variance,
including cost estimates, within seven calendar days after receipt of the
variance application; and
(2) The disposition of all applications
for a variance within seven calendar days of the determination of the variance
application.
(c) The chief energy officer of the Hawaii state
energy office may adopt rules pursuant to chapter 91 to impose and collect fees
to cover the costs of administering variances under this section. The fees, if any, shall be deposited into the
energy security special fund established under section 201-12.8.
(d) Nothing in this section shall preclude any
county from establishing procedures and standards required to implement this
section.
(e) Nothing in this section shall preclude participation in any utility demand-side management program or public benefits fee program under part VII of chapter 269.
(f) For the purposes of this section, "rooftop photovoltaic energy generating system" means any identifiable facility, equipment, apparatus, or the like, that utilizes electricity-generating modules mounted on a rooftop, or near the subject property, that converts solar energy to useful electrical energy for heating, cooling, or reducing the use of other types of energy that are dependent upon fossil fuel for the generation of electricity; provided that the system shall have not less than five kilowatts of generating capacity and shall include an energy storage device, such as a battery."
SECTION 2. New statutory material is underscored.
SECTION 3. This Act shall take effect upon its approval.
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INTRODUCED BY: |
_____________________________ |
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Report Title:
HSEO; Rooftop Solar Installation; Rooftop Photovoltaic Energy Generating Systems; New Residential Construction Requirement; Rules
Description:
Beginning 1/1/2026, prohibits the issuance of building permits for new single-family dwellings that are part of a development of twenty or more dwellings and do not include a rooftop photovoltaic energy generating system, unless a variance is granted by the Hawaii State Energy Office. Authorizes the Hawaii State Energy Office to adopt administrative rules.
The summary description
of legislation appearing on this page is for informational purposes only and is
not legislation or evidence of legislative intent.