Solar Panel Installation in Kihei, HI
Local sun, utility rules, permits and installers
Kihei has about 1,700 kWh a year per kW of rooftop solar (our estimate). Your utility decides what exported power earns, so see the rules for Maui Electric below, then get quotes.
Kihei solar at a glance
Utility rules and programs for Kihei
Maui Electric serves homes in Kihei.
| Utility | Type | Solar export rule |
|---|---|---|
| Maui Electric Co Ltd | investor-owned | On Maui, SRE Export pays 6.6 cents daytime, 13.1 overnight and 18.2 evening peak (the lowest daytime credit of the islands), locked 7 years; SRE Non-Export sends nothing to the grid. |
Program details are from each utility’s own pages (read October 2026). See the Hawaii incentives table for statewide credits and a status for every program.
Permits and approvals in Kihei
- Development Services Administration, County of Maui: permit information · (808) 270-7250
- The county’s Development Services Administration handles building, electrical and plumbing permits through its online MAPPS system. Maui County serves this area, not a separate city office.
- The utility must approve the connection before you switch on: Hawaiian Electric (Maui) · your own utility’s interconnection page.
- Check any contractor on the Hawaii professional license search before you sign.
- Hawaii law (HRS 196-7) limits associations from banning solar devices on single-family homes and townhouses; placement rules are allowed (current wording not confirmed).
Fees and steps change; confirm with the office before you start. We have not verified timelines for Kihei.
Costs and savings
We do not have verified installed prices for Kihei alone. The Hawaii figures above show what to expect; real quotes depend on your home, equipment and installer. Try the solar savings calculator, and get at least two written quotes.
Choosing an installer
- License: check the contractor on the Hawaii professional license search and that the license covers this work.
- Quote: ask for an itemized written quote that names the equipment, warranties and who pulls the permit and handles the utility approval.
- Compare: get two or three quotes and compare them line by line, not only the total.
Get solar quotes in Kihei
Tell us about your project in Kihei. We reply ourselves and match you with a licensed installer who serves your area. It is free, with no obligation, and nothing is shared with an installer unless you choose one.
More for Kihei
Home Battery Installation in Kihei · Backup Generator Installation in Kihei · Home EV Charger Installation in Kihei · Kihei energy guide · Hawaii energy guide.
Solar Panel Installation in Kihei FAQs
Is solar worth it in Kihei?
The sun is strong (about 1,700 kWh a year per kW, our estimate), but export credits are low, so solar pays most when sized to what you use at home or paired with a battery. See the Hawaii incentives for the state credit.
Is there a federal solar tax credit in 2026?
No. The federal 25D credit ended for expenditures after December 31, 2025. Hawaii has a state income tax credit for solar (35 percent of PV cost, reported cap $5,000 per system), with new rules from tax year 2027 under Act 24.
Do I need a permit for solar panels in Kihei?
Usually yes, and the utility may need to approve solar and batteries. Development Services Administration, County of Maui handles permits in Kihei; see the permit information above.
How do I find a licensed installer in Kihei?
Use the quote button on this page. We reply ourselves and match you with a licensed installer who serves your area; you can check any contractor on the Hawaii professional license search.
Sources: sunshine and climate NASA POWER; hazards FEMA National Risk Index; utility numbers EIA-861 (2024); prices EnergySage (October 2026) and Generac (U.S.); credits IRS and the Hawaii State Energy Office; permit information from the city or town’s own page; utility programs from each utility’s own pages (October 2026). General information, not financial, tax, legal or electrical advice. See our editorial policy.