Column: 19 weeks left to keep Hawaii solar on track

Hawaii stands at a pivotal moment in its energy future. More than 100,000 households and businesses have already installed rooftop solar, but as Gov. Josh Green, the state Public Utilities Commission (PUC) and Hawaiian Electric have acknowledged for years, we need tens of thousands more roofs powered by the sun to truly free ourselves from imported oil and achieve permanent energy independence.

Yet, at the very moment Hawaii needs more solar, we are facing a cliff. Dec. 31, 2025, marks the final day that homeowners can install rooftop solar and directly benefit from the 30% federal tax credit. This vital support — federal funding flowing directly into local families’ pockets and into our economy — vanishes on Jan. 1.

This is not just a missed financial opportunity. It’s a direct blow to:

>> Economic stability and affordability for working families.

>> Our mission to drive foreign oil out of Hawaii.

>> Climate resilience and clean air for future generations.

These are values shared across our islands — values that no federal policy should ignore. Yet the expiration of this credit does exactly that.

The solar industry has weathered storms before. For decades, we’ve fought outdated regulations and systemic barriers to make clean energy more affordable. Hawaii’s leadership — Gov. Green, Mayor Rick Blangiardi, county councils, the PUC and innovators within Hawaiian Electric — have chipped away at these barriers, opening doors for more residents to go solar.

But today, we don’t have years to slowly chip away. We have 19 weeks.

Unless action is taken immediately, thousands of families — especially late adopters and low- to middle-income residents — will be locked out of the benefits of solar and energy storage. Our state will lose millions in federal funding, and progress toward Hawaii’s clean energy future will stall — and every remaining barrier must be removed within days, not months.

The launch of the City and County of Honolulu’s new permitting software, HNL Build, unfortunately has added to these challenges. Despite positive actions and prompt attention from the mayor’s team, permit processing in the City and County of Honolulu has moved backwards at the worst possible time. Further bold and immediate actions are necessary to allow thousands of families to reduce their energy costs before the end of 2025.

This is a moment that demands unity and urgency. We are calling on leaders at every level — state, county and utility — to tear down the remaining barriers now, not later. We need streamlined permitting approvals, faster HECO approvals, and aggressive, coordinated support implemented within the next week so families can complete the entire process and have their systems installed before the Dec. 31 cutoff.

Traditionally, Hawaii builds consensus before taking bold action. Normally, that’s the right approach. But this time, consensus is not the issue — we already agree on where we want to go. The only question is whether we’ll act in time.

We urge the governor, mayor and all decision-makers: Let’s come together for these next 19 weeks. Let’s unlock every possible path for families to install solar before the federal residential credit disappears. Then, in 2026, we need to strengthen local actions to continue our path and chart a long-term course to make solar affordable for every home in Hawaii.

If we fail to act now, we risk losing not just a credit — but a once-in-a-generation chance to power Hawaii’s future with the energy of our islands.

Brian Gold is president the Hawaii Solar Energy Association (HSEA); Rachel Ah Sue is HSEA secretary, and Ted Peck is an HSEA board member. They submitted this on behalf of the HSEA board of directors: Josh Powell, vice president; Sarah Amadeo, treasurer; and Carla Stack, board member.