Hawaiian Electric Co. has eased restrictions on the amount of solar that can be placed on its electric grids on Oahu, Maui and the Big Island before a costly interconnection study is required. 

From a HECO press release: 

For single-phase 10 kW or smaller systems, a new checkpoint before a possible interconnection study may be needed will be 75% of the minimum daytime electrical load. This 75% checkpoint will allow more PV installations without interconnection studies than the previous 50% of minimum load threshold for small installations approved last November by the Public Utilities Commission. The new standard will increase the capacity for added PV without further interconnection studies on the majority of circuits in the Hawaiian Electric Companies’ service territories.

HECO will also refund a handful of customers who paid for costly interconnection studies to determine whether their systems might disrupt the electric grid. 

The change will primarily affect residential customers, or businesses with small systems. 

For larger systems, above 10 kilowatts, the threshold remains at 15 percent peak load or 50 percent of the daily minimum load, before an interconnection study, paid for by the customer, is required.

HECO has also developed a new website that provides customers with information about choosing a contractor, financing, and siting and and sizing PV installations.