Frequently Asked Questions

• 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.

An IRS determines if the customer's Distributed Energy Resource can be interconnected, and, if so, what additional equipment, protective devices, and/or control systems need to be installed.

In continuing to proactively address technical issues associated with the interconnection of the ever-increasing number of Distributed Energy Resource systems, all applications for interconnection to Hawaiian Electric's grid must go through a technical screening process.

One possible outcome of this screening is that an IRS may be needed. If an IRS is required, the applicant will be notified and must decide if they will pay for the IRS or withdraw their application. If the applicant agrees to pay for the IRS, they will be required to execute a signed IRS Letter Agreement to initiate the IRS process, and submit payment to Hawaiian Electric. Factors that affect the cost of the IRS include system size, cost share availability, type of technology, the number of feeders involved, and the complexity of the feeder(s).

From submittal of the IRS proposal and payment, per the Rule 14H tariff, an IRS may take 150 days or more to complete. Upon completion of the IRS, and the determination of applicant interconnection costs, the applicant will have the option of agreeing to proceed with the interconnection work or to withdraw their application.

The costs of an IRS and any resulting equipment requirements are the responsibility of the customer.

Community-Based Renewable Energy, often called shared-solar, provides a way for participating subscribers who do not have privately-owned rooftop solar to benefit from the electricity generated by a solar energy facility located in their utility service territory. Only solar projects are eligible for the initial phase with 8 megawatts of capacity available in our service territories.

Parties interested in developing a shared solar project are strongly encouraged to determine whether or not their solar facility location has the ability to host a project. Check here for Hawaiian Electric's hosting capacity maps before applying for capacity. Companies, organizations, developers or groups authorized to do business in the state can become a "subscriber organization" to propose a shared solar project. Information on how to apply with Hawaiian Electric to become a subscriber organization is available at hawaiianelectric.com/sharedsolar.

Electricity from a shared solar project will enter the island grid to help the state achieve its renewable energy goals. Once a shared solar project is complete, tested and approved to begin sending electricity to the grid, customers who participate (called "subscribers") will get credit on their monthly electric bill based on their level of participation in the project.

Under the rules established by the PUC, individual customers cannot sign up for shared solar directly with their utility. Instead, customers will participate in a shared solar project by purchasing or leasing an interest from subscriber organizations approved and allocated shared solar capacity by the utility. Interested customers will initially contact the electric company in which they have an account to verify their eligibility to participate in shared solar and the maximum level of their participation. With this information, a customer may then "shop" for the shared solar project that best suits their needs.

When a subscriber organization with a shared solar facility is approved, customers on the island where the project will be built may become subscribers to that facility by applying directly to the subscriber organization. To the extent not already approved by the electric company, the subscriber organization will submit the name of potential subscribers to the electric utility on that island to confirm eligibility and maximum level of participation, however, final approval and enrollment is up to the subscriber organization.

A residential or commercial customer with a current electricity account at the same location for at least 6 months who has not received a disconnection notification within the last 12 months may be a subscriber. The potential subscriber may not be enrolled in another utility solar program like Net Energy Metering, Schedule Q, Customer Grid Supply, Customer Grid Supply Plus, Smart Export, Feed-in Tariff, Standard Interconnection Agreement, or similar programs.

An Independent Observer, paid by Hawaiian Electric but reporting to the Public Utilities Commission, will monitor the program to make sure it is fair and conforms to the requirements of the CBRE Tariff.