Page 16 - Hawaii Renovation - April 18, 2021

16 HAWAII RENOVATION
APRIL 18, 2021
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REVOLUSUN
Afew years ago, this publication was full of solar company
ads. Today you’ll probably only see our advertisement. So, what happened?
BOOM TO BUST, WITH SOME EXCEPTIONS
From 2011 to 2013, Hawaii experienced a “solar boom” due to the easy-to-navigate Net Energy Metering (NEM) program in partnership with Hawaiian Electric. NEM was a “dollar for dollar” credit on your electricity bill. In short, the power you produced
on your home could also be sent back to the grid for credits.
This program was a huge success, as 300 different entities submitted solar permits annually from 2011 to 2013, including new so- lar startups, mainland solar companies and electrical companies installing solar systems. Even roofing com- panies rushed to join in.
THE END OF NEM: THE FALLOUT, AND THE PRESENT
Unfortunately, most of the
companies that tried to capi- talize on the NEM movement have either left Hawaii to fo- cus their attention to more lucrative states or have gone out of business outright.
The Hawaii solar market contraction was sudden and undeniable. In 2013, there were more than 300 companies filing for per- mits. That number dropped to 120 in 2014. The down- ward trend continues today as only four of the top 10 solar companies in Hawaii (by number of permits) are locally owned and operated. RevoluSun is proud to be in the top spot.
LIFE AFTER NEM: PROGRAM COMPLEXITY
After NEM ended, solar systems became a bit more complex, and new programs required a much deeper un-
derstanding of solar system design. As “plug and play” systems fell by the wayside, a lot of companies that cut corners to deliver the abso- lute lowest cost ultimately failed because the financial burden of routine fixes and faulty equipment became
too much to shoulder. Additionally, new DPP processes, electrical in- spections and the addi- tional financial pressure of long installation wait times left many companies unable or unwilling to continue op- erations. The end result?
Hundreds of solar provid- ers closed their doors, and now more than 35,000 so- lar system owners have no one to call to maintain their systems.
BUT I HAVEN’T GONE SOLAR YET. SHOULD I?
Yes! While the industry has indeed faced challenges, it has evolved into a much more stable environment, and a handful of local busi- nesses continue to respon- sibly push Hawaii’s clean energy goals.
With the federal solar tax incentives expiring at the end of 2021 and a forecast of tremendous growth over the next 14 months, now is the time to get solar.
A NAME YOU CAN TRUST
Locally owned, Revolu- Sun is a nationally recog- nized full-service provider of photovoltaic systems, battery storage and HVAC services for residential and commercial applications. RevoluSun has helped more than 8,500 families and busi- nesses save over $40 million in utility expenses annually. With a reputation of indus- try leading technology, su- perior installation methods and commitment to quality, RevoluSun is Hawaii’s most trusted solar provider. Call us today or visit us at revolusun. com.
REVOLUSUN
CONTACT 808-748-8888
ADDRESS 660 Ala Moana Blvd. No. 220A, Honolulu
WEB revolusun.com
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