Thanks to our location, Hawaii receives some of the most abundant sunlight and solar energy, making us a top market for solar power and other renewable energy sources. This access to renewable energy helps offset the staggering cost of power here on the islands, helping businesses and homeowners save money while also reducing their carbon footprint! If you own a building, whether a commercial space or dwelling, we’re here to help you learn more about the advantages of adding solar to your property.
What’s Solar Energy?
Solar energy refers to the energy produced by the sun’s nuclear reaction, which provides both light and heat for us to enjoy. Scientists estimate that 173,000 terawatts of solar energy hit the Earth each second, and we use less than 0.1% of it to power our lives.
Installing solar panels for home and business use helps harness the unused energy provided by the sun and reduce our reliance on non-renewable sources.
How Do Solar Panels Work?
Capturing the sun’s energy requires equipment designed to make use of the light that reaches Earth each day. That’s where photovoltaic (PV) solar panels come in — usually from rooftop mounts or arranged in ground-level arrays to soak up as much sunshine as possible.
These panels turn sunlight into direct current (DC) power. Because homes and commercial buildings rely on alternating current (AC) for everyday devices and equipment, that DC power must first be transformed. An inverter handles this job, shifting the electricity into a format your property can actually use.
After the power is converted, the AC electricity flows through your switchboard. This system draws from your solar supply first and only taps into the grid when you’re not generating enough on your own. Everything happens behind the scenes automatically, giving you clean, reliable solar energy without any extra effort.
Solar Energy Add-Ons
Beyond this basic process, the solar energy industry has developed countless add-ons for your solar array to help sidestep some of the common issues with solar panel-generated energy.
I still need power at night and in bad weather. To help supply power even when the sun isn’t shining, solar batteries have arrived to fill the gap. Solar storage options are a great addition to any array, helping you capture any excess solar energy your panels generate and save it for later. Whether ‘later’ is that night after the sun sets or during a future power outage, your solar batteries make sure you have the energy you need. In fact, solar and storage helped hasten recovery and provide Hawaiians with energy in the aftermath of the 2023 Maui wildfires.
My homeowner’s association won’t allow solar panels. New to the market, solar shingles streamline the installation process — instead of installing solar panels on your roof, you can now install PV technology as your roof. These solar shingles operate just like a solar panel but offer a more discreet and integrated look, perfect for meeting HOA restrictions and appealing to modern design aesthetics.
I don’t know how to use my solar energy. In the era of smart devices and home automation, managing your property’s solar energy use is easier than ever. Most solar panel installations and systems now come with smart home integration to help you manage your energy. Connect with your home’s grid through your smartphone or laptop to maximize efficiency.
Hawaii’s Solar Energy Use
In 2024, about one-third of Hawaii’s total electricity came from renewable sources, most of which were solar; solar energy accounted for about 65% of the state’s renewable electricity generation and 22% of its total generation from all energy sources.
But all this energy didn’t come from large solar farms or commercial applications. According to the EIA, small-scale solar energy generation on customer-owned sites was more than twice as large as the state’s utility-scale solar generation. Solar adoption by homeowners and small businesses is driving Hawaii’s solar energy generation.
The Benefits of Adding Solar to Your Property
Hawaii’s aging infrastructure, unique climate, and booming population all lead to problems for each island’s electrical grid. Power blackouts, brownouts, and HECO’s Public Safety Power Shutoff programs can leave homes and businesses without power for indeterminate amounts of time. Plus, Hawaii’s electricity prices are nearly three times those of other states!
By scheduling a solar panel installation, upgrade, or array expansion on your property, you’re adding a private source of power that lessens your dependence on the local electrical grid! You’ll get exciting cost savings on every power bill, more consistent power when the grid is shaky, and increased peace of mind during power outages.
Make the Most of Solar with Holu Hou Energy
If you’re ready to add solar to your property, we’re the experts to call! Our team has helped homeowners, property owners, and business owners maximize their energy resilience with solar panel installations, solar battery integration, and whole-home control with our HoluPower SmartPanels and xP Energy Storage Systems. Made by Hawaiians for Hawaiian properties, we help you take advantage of the abundant solar energy in Hawaii with the latest solar technology. Contact us today to learn more!
