51.2

Risk Grade

Fair

Extreme grid saturation on O'ahu (HECO) limits new large-scale interconnection without storage; land scarcity on island; high existing rooftop penetration.

Assessment Snapshot

Population

1,000,890

State Rank

Compliance

40%

Trajectory

Moratorium Status

✓ No Active Moratorium

No Moratorium

Ordinance & Regulations

Setback Requirements

LUO-based setbacks vary by zoning district. Utility-scale (>1 MW) requires Conditional Use Permit Major (CUP-M). Minimal undeveloped land for large-scale ground-mount on O'ahu.

Zoning Mechanism

CUP-M under Honolulu LUO for utility-scale. State Land Use Commission Agricultural or Conservation district boundary amendment often required.

Acreage Caps

No specific acreage cap; land scarcity is the practical constraint.

Density Caps

None codified.

Spacing Rules

None codified.

Size Restrictions

Grid capacity is the primary restriction; HECO has limited O'ahu grid headroom for new utility-scale solar without storage.

Board Sentiment & Political Risk

Sentiment Analysis

Strong public and political support for solar but constrained by grid saturation and land scarcity on O'ahu; rooftop solar penetration >30% of homes.

Basis for Assessment

Honolulu City Council and Mayor Rick Blangiardi administration broadly pro-solar; key constraint is HECO grid capacity and land availability, not political opposition.

Political Risk Factors

Stable

Board Members

Honolulu City Council — 9 members. Council Chair: Tommy Waters. Rick Blangiardi (Mayor). Key council members: Radiant Cordero, Matt Weyer, Esther Kia'aina.

Grid, Utilities & State Context

Grid Operator

Hawaiian Electric Company (HECO) / O'ahu island grid — no interstate interconnection

Utilities

Hawaiian Electric Company (HECO) — Hawaiian Electric Industries, None (island grid)

State Permitting Process

CUP-M via Honolulu Department of Planning & Permitting (DPP) for utility-scale. LUC boundary amendment if reclassifying agricultural/conservation land. PUC/HECO interconnection agreement with RFP/RFI process. Chapter 343 HRS environmental review. FAA Part 77 coordination.

State Incentives

Hawaii State RPS 100% by 2045. State tax credit 35% of cost. CGS+ tariff (post-NEM) administered by HECO per PUC order. Green infrastructure bond financing available. Honolulu Solar+ Battery program for affordable housing.

Development Activity

Active/Completed Projects

Denied/Withdrawn Projects

Multiple deferred or stalled RFP responses due to grid saturation. HECO has rejected interconnection for projects without co-located storage.

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Honolulu County, HI — Solar Development Risk Assessment