The Star-Advertiser reported last week that solar PV installations would raise costs for the rest of HECO ratepayers. 

But according to PBN, HECO says that it won’t be asking for a rate increase. Those with solar panels are already charged a fee to cover HECO operational costs. 

PBN quoted HECO spokesman Peter Rosegg as saying the following: 

It is true that there is currently a small cost to all electric customers to cover the fixed costs of generation, transmission and distribution facilities that must still be available to serve those who have solar photovoltaics when their systems are not generating energy. Currently, the value of adding more customer-sited renewable energy and using less oil is considered to outweigh this lost contribution to fixed cost.

Read the story here.