SB 2902 Hawaii Senate · 2026 Regular Session

RELATING TO RENEWABLE ENERGY.

Summary

Establishes certain standards for the use of portable solar generation devices and provides certain exemptions from net energy metering and interconnection requirements for devices that meet these standards. Prohibits electric utility companies from requiring customers using portable solar generation devices to obtain approval from the utility, pay any fee or charge, or install additional controls or equipment. Limits the installation of portable solar generation devices to condominiums. Requires the Public Utilities Commission to establish and maintain an online system for registration of portable solar generation devices. Clarifies that any person who owns, controls, operates, or manages a portable solar generation device that is located on the person's property does not qualify as a regulated public utility. Requires annual reports to the Legislature. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Issues: ✓ Energy

Bill status passed 3 of 5 stages cleared

Introduction

Jan 2026

Committee Review

Mar 2026

Senate Passage

Mar 2026

House Passage

Governor

Introduced Jan 23, 2026 Last action Mar 19, 2026

Maddy AI version diff · 3 comparisons

What changed between versions

SB2902_SD1 → SB2902_SD2 · 4 edits

MODERATE

This bill updates the definition of 'portable solar generation devices' to require certification by recognized safety standards and clarifies that these devices are not included in the definition of 'solar energy device' for condominium tax purposes. It also adds a new requirement for the Public Utilities Commission to establish certification standards for these devices and adjusts the reporting schedule for the commission.

Scope change

The bill expands the regulatory scope by adding specific certification requirements for portable solar devices and explicitly excludes them from certain tax incentive definitions previously applied to solar equipment.

REQUIREMENT

Added a requirement for the Public Utilities Commission to determine certification standards for portable solar generation devices, referencing Underwriters Laboratories or equivalent national standards.

DEFINITION

Modified the definition of 'portable solar generation device' to explicitly require certification by Underwriters Laboratories, Inc., or an equivalent nationally recognized testing laboratory.

Modified the definition of 'solar energy device' to explicitly exclude portable solar generation devices, changing how they are treated for tax or incentive purposes in condominiums.

TIMELINE

Updated section numbers and minor formatting changes throughout the bill text, including shifting from SD1 to SD2 and adjusting line numbers.

Floor votes

How they voted

This bill passed the Senate by voice vote (no roll call recorded).

Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions

Key actions

Committee

Mar 19, 2026

Committee

Reported from EEP (Stand. Com. Rep. No. 1217-26) as amended in HD 1, recommending passage on Second Reading and referral to CPC.

lower

Mar 17, 2026

Lower · Passed

The committee on EEP recommend that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS. The votes were as follows: 7 Ayes: Representative(s) Lowen, Perruso, Chun, Kahaloa, Kusch, Quinlan, Matsumoto; Ayes with reservations: none; 0 Noes: none; and 0 Excused: none.

lower

Mar 12, 2026

Committee

Referred to EEP, CPC, FIN, referral sheet 17

lower

Mar 10, 2026

Introduced

Received from Senate (Sen. Com. No. 317) in amended form (SD 2).

lower

Mar 10, 2026

Upper · Passed

Report adopted; Passed Third Reading, as amended (SD 2). Ayes, 25; Aye(s) with reservations: none . Noes, 0 (none). Excused, 0 (none). Transmitted to House.

upper

Mar 3, 2026

Upper · Passed

The committee(s) on WAM recommend(s) that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS. The votes in WAM were as follows: 12 Aye(s): Senator(s) Dela Cruz, Moriwaki, DeCoite, Elefante, Hashimoto, Inouye, Kanuha, Kidani, Kim, Lee, C., Richards, Wakai; Aye(s) with reservations: none ; 0 No(es): none; and 1 Excused: Senator(s) Fevella.

upper

Mar 3, 2026

Upper · Passed

The committee(s) on CPN recommend(s) that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS. The votes in CPN were as follows: 4 Aye(s): Senator(s) Keohokalole, Fukunaga, Lamosao, McKelvey; Aye(s) with reservations: none ; 0 No(es): none; and 1 Excused: Senator(s) Awa.

upper

Feb 27, 2026

Upper · Passed

The committee(s) on CPN/WAM will hold a public decision making on 03-03-26 10:16AM; Conference Room 211 & Videoconference.

upper

Feb 12, 2026

Upper · Passed

Report adopted; Passed Second Reading, as amended (SD 1) and referred to CPN/WAM.

upper

Feb 12, 2026

Committee

Reported from EIG (Stand. Com. Rep. No. 2226) with recommendation of passage on Second Reading, as amended (SD 1) and referral to CPN/WAM.

upper

Feb 5, 2026

Upper · Passed

The committee(s) on EIG recommend(s) that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS. The votes in EIG were as follows: 5 Aye(s): Senator(s) Wakai, Chang, DeCoite, Richards, Fevella; Aye(s) with reservations: none ; 0 No(es): none; and 0 Excused: none.

upper

Feb 2, 2026

Upper · Passed

The committee(s) on EIG has scheduled a public hearing on 02-05-26 3:01PM; Conference Room 224 & Videoconference.

upper

Jan 30, 2026

Committee

Referred to EIG, CPN/WAM.

upper

Jan 23, 2026

Introduced

Introduced.

upper

4 primary · 1 co-sponsor