Frequently Asked Questions

For all rooftop solar systems, a complete submittal package needs to be provided to your utility for review. Though system size and design determine the amount of information needed, in general the following need to be provided:

• A complete Distributed Energy Resource Interconnection Submittal Application Cover Form
• A signed program specific agreement
• A program specific Description of Generating Facility exhibit
• Equipment specification sheets
• Inverter compliance needs to be submitted prior to final execution of agreements. Inverters need to meet Hawaiian Electric's technical requirements
• A utility disconnect that is lockable and has a visible disconnect switch
• Stamped and signed site-specific drawings. Single-line drawings for all projects and 3-line for projects equal to 30 kW or per the applicable County's rule.
• All systems must comply with Hawaiian Electric's Interconnection requirements in effect at the time of signing the agreement or at the time of system interconnection, whichever is later.

The executed agreement will provide the customer approval to operate their Distributed Energy Resource system and connect to the utility grid.

You can check the status at www.hawaiianelectric.com/IIQ or by emailing or calling your utility. IIQ stands for "Integrated Interconnection Queue" and is designed to provide some basic information to an applicant and/or contractor for where they fall in the IIQ by company name and on a particular circuit.

First Come, First Served
Hawaiian Electric's Distributed Energy Resource programs are available to all customers on a first come, first served basis.

The Integrated Interconnection Queue
The Integrated Interconnection Queue reserves capacity for your Distributed Energy Resource system on the circuit that serves your location. Placement in the queue occurs once your submitted application has passed the initial completeness review.

Your Project Completion Time Frame
After your application has been Conditionally Approved, to be fair to other customers who may be waiting to apply on circuits that already have a high amount of installed distributed generation, Hawaiian Electric's policy is that you must finish your project within an 12-month time frame for systems under 10 kW and 18-month time frame for systems >10kW. The time frame for completion begins from the date of your Conditional Approval. A one-time extension of 180 days may be requested in writing, but this must be sent during the last two months before your designated time frame expires. If you exceed all deadlines, your application will be cancelled and your reserved circuit capacity forfeited. You would then need to reapply and start at the beginning of the process.

Only Underwriters Laboratory (UL) listed equipment may be used in Distributed Energy Resource systems that are interconnecting to the utility grid.

All inverters must meet the Hawaiian Electric technical requirements that are listed in Appendix I or Rule 14H. Proof of Compliance needs to be provided to the utilities for new installations or reprogramming by use of the Distributed Energy Resource Project Validation Form that is found on our websites.

Before you design your system and purchase inverters, we recommend that you confirm with the inverter manufacturer whether their equipment meets our technical requirements.

• The initial web page, referred to as the "Splash" page, has basic information by the utility.
• The web page that appears after you select "Access Now" displays the IIQ for each company with 2 different reports ("Overall IIQ" and "Circuit Queue").
• The "Overall IIQ" report shows where all applicants fall in line on the IIQ. After locating your Agreement ID/Contractor ID, refer to the column in the middle (Circuit) and click on the hyper-link which will open another report.
• The report that appears after you click on the circuit is the "Circuit Queue" report showing where you fall in line on a particular circuit.

• The circuit queue number is based on where an applicant falls on a particular circuit.
• Your number on that circuit could be based on 1 of 3 items depending on your project:
  • Date/time interconnection application was received; or
  • Date/time interconnection application was resubmitted; or
  • Date interconnection application was determined complete and valid.

Yes. The circuit queue position number will change as applicants move through the review process and as other applicants come on and off the IIQ.

For example, if information on the application is incorrect or missing, you will be notified and this will affect your position in the IIQ. Additionally, the circuit queue number will change based on the timing of other applicant's responses to their incorrect or missing information that may have been communicated prior to the establishment of your circuit queue number

Transient Overvoltage (TrOV) is a rapid and temporary rise in voltage along electric lines, commonly called a voltage spike. This high voltage condition may damage a customer's home, their electronics or appliances, or even their neighbors' electrical equipment.

Many inverters have technology that rapidly detects high voltage and other issues. These inverters then immediately shut down, preventing the voltage spike from occurring. Once inverters shut down, they will not turn back on until they detect safe operating conditions. As of 10/1/2015 we require that all proposed PV systems use inverters with these capabilities.

Ride-through settings enable PV systems to stay online during a grid disturbance, helping to maintain overall system stability and possibly preventing a widespread power outage.

Ride-through settings are aimed at maintaining the stability of the overall electric grid. These efforts complement other measures designed to mitigate the risks of high voltage conditions in neighborhoods with high levels of rooftop PV. As of 10/1/2015 we require that all proposed Distributed Energy Resource PV systems use inverters with these capabilities.