HAWAII PACIFIC SOLARʻS TESTIMONY CONTRIBUTES TO SAVING SOLAR TAX CREDIT
Chair Kyle Yamashita deletes solar tax credit cut-out in HB1369 after 350+ testimonies, calls and personal visits
Testimony submitted by HPS follows:
Dear Chair Yamashita, Vice Chair Takenouchi, and members of the House Finance Committee:
I strongly oppose HB1369, which seeks to repeal Hawaii’s solar investment tax credit. Hawaii’s solar tax credit has been instrumental in making clean energy affordable for residents and businesses, supporting thousands of local jobs, and strengthening Hawaii’s energy resilience. Repealing it would slow our transition to 100% renewable energy, increase reliance on expensive fossil fuels which harm our delicate environment when burned and create financial uncertainty for families and businesses looking to invest in solar.
On January 28, 2025, Governor Green unveiled an executive order to promote and expedite the development of renewable energy in the State of Hawaii. This executive order, developed with the Hawaiʻi State Energy Office and the input of various energy stakeholders across the state over the last year outlines new policy objectives and directives for the State of Hawaii. These include accelerating renewable development for Neighbor Island communities to hit 100% renewable portfolio standards from 2045 to 2035, setting a statewide goal of 50,000 distributed renewable energy installations (such as rooftop solar and battery systems) by 2030, and directing state departments to streamline and accelerate the permitting of renewable developments to reduce energy costs and project development timelines. Certainly, these objectives will be significantly delayed if HB1369 moves forward.
With federal clean energy incentives facing uncertainty, Hawaii must take local action to strengthen—not weaken—its commitment to renewable energy. I urge you to reject HB1369 and protect Hawaii’s clean energy future.