STAND. COM. REP. NO. 2923

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: S.B. No. 2902

S.D. 2

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirty-Third State Legislature

Regular Session of 2026

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committees on Commerce and Consumer Protection and Ways and Means, to which was referred S.B. No. 2902, S.D. 1, entitled:

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

beg 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 or a person or organization chosen by the 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 Committees received testimony in support of this measure from the Hawaiʻi Climate Change Mitigation and Adaptation Commission, one member of the Maui County Council, Chamber of Sustainable Commerce, Sierra Club of Hawaiʻi, Green Party of Hawaiʻi, Citizens' Climate Lobby Hawaii, Clean the Pacific, Climate Future Forum, 350Hawaii, Greenpeace Hawaii, Carbon Cashback Hawaiʻi, Bright Saver, and forty individuals.

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

Your Committees find that small-scale balcony solar systems can be a practical and affordable option for residents who live in condominiums to access clean energy generation and cost savings. This measure would create clear guidelines to encourage uptake and streamline the use of balcony solar systems, expanding access to cleaner, more affordable, and resilient energy for households in the State that reside in condominiums.

Your Committees have amended this measure by:

(1) Inserting language that requires the Public Utilities Commission to determine required certification standards for portable solar generation devices;

(2) Deleting language that would have defined "portable solar generation device" to mean a device that is certified by Underwriters Laboratories, Inc. to meet standard UL 3700;

(3) Inserting language to clarify that the definition of "solar energy device" in section 481B-6, Hawaii Revised Statutes, does not include a portable solar generation device; and

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

As affirmed by the records of votes of the members of your Committees on Commerce and Consumer Protection and Ways and Means that are attached to this report, your Committees are in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 2902, S.D. 1, as amended herein, and recommend that it pass Third Reading in the form attached hereto as S.B. No. 2902, S.D. 2.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committees on Commerce and Consumer Protection and Ways and Means,

________________________________ DONOVAN M. DELA CRUZ, Chair

________________________________ JARRETT KEOHOKALOLE, Chair