Hawaii is trying to facilitate a longer-term competitive market structure after capacity limits under its grid supply program – a replacement to NEM that was ended in October 2015 – were reached earlier than anticipated. The alternative self-supply program has been slow due to multiple issues including battery costs and technical and permitting issues.

The Hawaii Public Utilities Commission is exploring a competitive DER market structure (Docket No. 2014-0192) and community-based renewable programs (Docket No. 2015-0389). Reforms to DER and community solar policies will favor energy storage through options 7.41% such as renewables plus storage.