--- title: 5 Questions to Ask Before Going Solar on Oahu or the Big Island description: Thinking about solar in Hawaii? Ask these 5 questions first, about licensing, Hawaiian Electric programs, tax credit changes, your roof and warranties, before you sign anything. image: https://www.alohasolarpro.com/hubfs/dji_fly_20250314_124914_950_1741992730323_photo_optimized%202.jpeg --- [Skip to content](https://www.alohasolarpro.com/scoops/5-questions-to-ask-before-going-solar-on-oahu-or-the-big-island#main-content) ![Aloha Solar Pro](https://www.alohasolarpro.com/hs-fs/hubfs/aloha-solar-pro-side.png?width=240&height=74&name=aloha-solar-pro-side.png)Homepage - [Home](https://www.alohasolarpro.com) - [About](https://www.alohasolarpro.com/about) - [Contact](https://www.alohasolarpro.com/contact) - [Scoops](https://www.alohasolarpro.com/scoops) [Free consultation](https://meetings.hubspot.com/anela-havellana) - [Home](https://www.alohasolarpro.com) - [About](https://www.alohasolarpro.com/about) - [Contact](https://www.alohasolarpro.com/contact) - [Scoops](https://www.alohasolarpro.com/scoops) [Free consultation](https://meetings.hubspot.com/anela-havellana) ![](https://www.alohasolarpro.com/hs-fs/hubfs/dji_fly_20250314_124914_950_1741992730323_photo_optimized%202.jpeg?width=4000&height=3000&name=dji_fly_20250314_124914_950_1741992730323_photo_optimized%202.jpeg) # 5 Questions to Ask Before Going Solar on Oahu or the Big Island ![Anela Havellana](https://7528315.fs1.hubspotusercontent-na1.net/hub/7528315/hubfs/raw_assets/public/mV0_d-cms-elevate-theme_hubspot/elevate/images/avatar-placeholder.jpg?width=48&height=48&name=avatar-placeholder.jpg) Anela Havellana October 10, 2026 Aloha! Going solar is one of the biggest purchases most families make for their home, right up there with a new roof or a car. After more than 15 years helping Hawaii homeowners, these are the five questions I'd want my own ʻohana to ask before signing anything. ## 1. Who is actually installing my system, and are they licensed in Hawaii? Some companies sell the system and hand the installation to someone else. That isn't always bad, but you should know who will be on your roof. Ask for: - The installer's name and Hawaii contractor license number. You can look it up on the state's DCCA professional license search. - How long they've been installing on your island - Who you call if something goes wrong five years from now At Aloha Solar Pro, your system is installed by Sunspear Energy, a licensed Hawaii contractor (Lic. CT-35914), and we stay your point of contact from your first call to the day your system turns on, and after. ## 2. Which Hawaiian Electric program will I be on, and what does that mean for my savings? New solar customers don't get the old one-for-one net metering anymore. Today's program, Smart DER, credits the power you send to the grid at different rates depending on the time of day, and those credits are much lower than the Schedule R rate you pay for power. That's why the battery matters so much in Hawaii: it lets you store your solar and use it yourself instead of selling it cheap and buying it back. A good proposal should tell you which program you'll be on, how much of your solar you'll use yourself versus send to the grid, and how the battery is sized for your evening use. If a quote assumes you'll get full retail credit for everything you export, the savings are probably overstated. ## 3. What do the numbers look like without tax credits? Incentives are changing fast: - The federal 30% tax credit for homeowners who buy solar ended after 2025. - Hawaii's state credit (35% of the system cost, up to $5,000 per home system) is still available, but a 2026 law adds a yearly statewide cap starting in 2027, income limits starting with the 2027 tax year, and ends the credit after 2029. Ask to see your payback with and without credits. If the deal only works because of a credit you might not get, that's a red flag. And always check with your tax preparer about your own situation. ## 4. Is my roof ready? Solar panels last 25 years or more. If your roof needs replacing in the next few years, it usually makes sense to do it first, or at the same time, rather than pay to remove and reinstall panels later. Ask: - Will someone check the roof's age and condition before the design is final? - How are roof penetrations sealed, and are leaks covered by a warranty? - Does your roof type (shingle, metal, tile or flat) change the cost? ## 5. What warranties do I get, and who stands behind them? There are usually three kinds of coverage, and you want all three in writing: - **Equipment warranty:** panels, inverters and batteries from the manufacturer - **Workmanship warranty:** the installer's guarantee on their work - **Roof penetration warranty:** coverage against leaks where the system attaches Also ask what happens if you sell your home. Owned systems usually transfer easily. Leases and some loans have extra steps for the buyer. ## Bonus: does anyone feel pressured? A good solar consultant should be able to explain everything in plain language and give you time to decide. If someone says the price is only good today, take a step back. ## Talk story with us Bring these questions to a free, no-pressure 45-minute consultation by Zoom or phone. I'll answer every one for your home, with real numbers. [**Book your free consultation**](https://meetings.hubspot.com/anela-havellana) or call or text [(808) 388-8880](tel:+18083888880). Mahalo, Anela *Tax credit information as of October 2026. This post is general information, not tax advice.* ## Share this post [mailto:https%3A%2F%2Fwww.alohasolarpro.com%2Fscoops%2F5-questions-to-ask-before-going-solar-on-oahu-or-the-big-island](mailto:https%3A%2F%2Fwww.alohasolarpro.com%2Fscoops%2F5-questions-to-ask-before-going-solar-on-oahu-or-the-big-island) ## Keep reading ### [![](https://www.alohasolarpro.com/hs-fs/hubfs/dji_fly_20250314_125026_956_1741992730308_photo_optimized%202.jpeg?width=4000&height=3000&name=dji_fly_20250314_125026_956_1741992730308_photo_optimized%202.jpeg) Is Battery Storage Worth It in Hawaii?](https://www.alohasolarpro.com/scoops/is-battery-storage-worth-it-in-hawaii) ### [![](https://www.alohasolarpro.com/hs-fs/hubfs/dji_fly_20250314_124934_952_1741992730317_photo_optimized%202.jpeg?width=4000&height=3000&name=dji_fly_20250314_124934_952_1741992730317_photo_optimized%202.jpeg) How to Read Your Hawaiian Electric Bill](https://www.alohasolarpro.com/scoops/how-to-read-your-hawaiian-electric-bill) [![Aloha Solar Pro](https://www.alohasolarpro.com/hs-fs/hubfs/aloha-solar-pro-side.png?width=220&height=68&name=aloha-solar-pro-side.png "Aloha Solar Pro")](https://alohasolarpro.com) - [Home](https://www.alohasolarpro.com) - [About](https://www.alohasolarpro.com/about) - [Contact](https://www.alohasolarpro.com/contact) - [Scoops](https://www.alohasolarpro.com/scoops) --- Privacy Policy · Legal · © 2026 Aloha Solar Pro. 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