STAND. COM. REP. NO. 389-26

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2026

RE: H.B. No. 2486

H.D. 1

Honorable Nadine K. Nakamura

Speaker, House of Representatives

Thirty-Third State Legislature

Regular Session of 2026

State of Hawaii

Madame:

Your Committee on Energy & Environmental Protection, to which was referred H.B. No. 2486 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO SOLAR ENERGY,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to:

(1) Establish requirements for the use of portable solar generation devices;

(2) Clarify that electric utility companies are not liable for any damage or injury caused by a portable solar generation device;

(3) Require each portable solar generation device to be registered with the Public Utilities Commission; and

(4) Require the Public Utilities Commission to establish and maintain an online system for registering a portable solar generation device, at no cost to the customer.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Hawaiʻi Climate Change Mitigation and Adaptation Commission; Carbon Cashback Hawaiʻi; Life of the Land; Green Party of Hawaiʻi; Kauai Climate Action Coalition; Citizens' Climate Lobby Hawaii; Greenpeace Hawaii; 350Hawaii.org; Solar United Neighbors Action; Hawaii Solar Energy Association; Chamber of Sustainable Commerce; Bright Saver; Sierra Club of Hawaiʻi; and numerous individuals. Your Committee received comments on this measure from the Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs; Public Utilities Commission; Kauaʻi Island Utility Cooperative; and one individual.

Your Committee finds that portable solar generation devices allow residents of apartments, rental properties, and small businesses a safe, effective way to generate their own electricity. Your Committee further finds that these devices are highly effective in offsetting consumption of electricity and reducing electricity bills. However, your Committee recognizes that there is currently no registration process for these devices and that clear standards are necessary to promote safe, effective use. This measure seeks to expand access to portable solar generation devices and promote their efficient use by establishing certain standards and registration requirements.

Your Committee has amended this measure by:

(1) Authorizing the Public Utilities Commission to delegate the establishment and maintenance of the online system for registration to any person or organization;

(2) Clarifying that "portable solar energy device" means a device certified by Underwriters Laboratories, Inc., to meet standard UL 3700, or an equivalent nationally recognized testing laboratory recognized by the federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration;

(3) Changing the effective date to July 1, 3000, to encourage further discussion; and

(4) Making technical, nonsubstantive amendments for the purposes of clarity, consistency, and style.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Energy & Environmental Protection that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 2486, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 2486, H.D. 1, and be referred to your Committee on Consumer Protection & Commerce.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Energy & Environmental Protection,

____________________________

NICOLE E. LOWEN, Chair