STAND. COM. REP. NO. 2226

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: S.B. No. 2902

S.D. 1

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirty-Third State Legislature

Regular Session of 2026

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Energy and Intergovernmental Affairs, to which was referred S.B. No. 2902 entitled:

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

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose and intent of this measure is to:

(1) Define "portable solar generation device" and establish certain requirements for their regulation and use exclusively within units in condominiums organized pursuant to Chapter 514B, Hawaii Revised Statutes;

(2) Require the Public Utilities Commission to establish an online registration system;

(3) Clarify that portable solar generation devices are subject to certain approval procedures for installation in condominiums; and

(4) Require reports to the Legislature.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Hawaii Climate Change Mitigation and Adaptation Commission, Clean the Pacific, Hawaii Solar Energy Association, Carbon Cashback Hawaiʻi, Chamber of Sustainable Commerce, League of Women Voters of Hawaii, Bright Saver, 350Hawaii, Citizens' Climate Lobby Hawaii, Greenpeace Hawaii, and twenty-four individuals.

Your Committee received testimony in opposition to this measure from one individual.

Your Committee received comments on this measure from the Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs, Public Utilities Commission, Kauaʻi Island Utility Cooperative, and Solar United Neighbors Action.

Your Committee finds that solar energy has become one of the most cost-effective sources of electricity in the world. Your Committee further finds that the deployment of clean energy technologies and processes that are safe and cost-effective is aligned with the State's energy and climate goals. Portable solar solutions provide an opportunity for residents who cannot afford or do not have the capacity to install full solar solutions to tackle high energy costs and support the transition to renewable energy. By establishing a clear regulatory framework for portable solar generation devices for condominiums, this measure will provide a pathway for energy independence for many residents throughout the State.

Your Committee acknowledges the concerns raised in testimony by the Public Utilities Commission noting this measure's insufficient technical requirements and the potential for unregulated use of portable solar generation devices. Therefore, amendments to this measure are necessary to address these concerns.

Accordingly, your Committee has amended this measure by:

(1) Clarifying that the Public Utilities Commission may delegate the responsibility of establishing and maintaining an online system for registering portable solar generation devices;

(2) Specifying that customers shall not be required to pay a fee to register with the online registration system;

(3) Clarifying that a portable solar generation device shall be certified to meet certain standards;

(4) Inserting an effective date of April 19, 2042, to encourage further discussion; and

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

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Energy and Intergovernmental Affairs that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 2902, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as S.B. No. 2902, S.D. 1, and be referred to your Committees on Commerce and Consumer Protection and Ways and Means.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Energy and Intergovernmental Affairs,

________________________________

GLENN WAKAI, Chair