Residential Solar Hot Water Heaters in Honolulu, HI 

A residential solar hot water heater in Honolulu can eliminate up to 90% of your water heating electricity costs — and Honolulu homeowners have access to rebates and state tax credits that make installation far more affordable than most people expect. Solar Help Hawaii sizes, installs, and services these systems across Oahu for single-family homes of every size.

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    One day I walked past  and noticed  our solar water tank leaking.  I waited till my son came home; hoping he could figure out  how to fix it.   It was  a Friday evening!  I was told by another company that the earliest they could come in was Monday afternoon.  All the while, the wai (water) is leaking steadily.  I called Solar Help and within minutes, Chaleigh  responded.   She was extremely helpful and got Brandon, her technician, to  help us! He had laryngitis; yet, he  helped us out.  (We didn't know  the steps to turning off the heater and stop the water from flooding the area!). Wai being so precious, we are most grateful to them.  Mahalo i Ke Akua!  They installed  a new solar water heater tank  within days! Works perfectly  and we are blessed.  Mahalo nui loa  me ka palena'ole.


    - Zeoma A.

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    I inquired with solar help Hawaii because our electrical back up component of our solar hot water heater was not working. Chaleigh responded quickly even though it was after work hours. She provided me with a troubleshooting guide and offered to walk me through it. I was not able to get to it that evening, but told her I would do it in the morning and follow up. She called the next morning to see how things were going. When I was finally able to get through the steps, TA-DA! We had hot water! So thankful for a company like this. Will definitely keep this company in mind when we do need the heater fixed or replaced.


    - Kimberly S.

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    20/26 of my micro inverters were non functional

    Solar help assisted in replacing and upgrading the inverters and even added a new string of panels to give me more photovoltaic generation. They had a reasonable response time and now with covid the service guys all show up with masks.


    - Christian O.

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    The team of Brandon and Dillon arrived masked, were courteous, professional, safe, and took the time to explain everything they performed on our water heater tank and solar panel system. They expedited their thorough system check, replacing the corroded anode and anti-scald valve quickly so that I could make an after-school child pick-up on time. I would unhesitatingly recommend this business for their customer friendly service. Well done Solar Help!!!


    - Chris S.

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    Awesome company with responsive employees. Solar PV went out and we didn't know why. Worked with Paul and he was very patient. I was expecting an appointment later in the week as he was booked but he came to our house after his last scheduled job the day I called and worked above and beyond to find the cause of the problem. I was worried but Paul found the issue and stayed to fix it till nearly 5:30 pm. He could've easily said I'll have to come back another time but knew every day our PV was down was costing us $$. Don't hesitate to use Solar Help. You won't be disappointed. Mahalo Paul!!!!


    - Vance P.

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Why Honolulu Homeowners Switch to Solar Hot Water

Water heating is the single largest energy draw in the average Hawaii home. Hawaiian Electric rates are among the highest in the nation, which means an electric water heater running daily costs significantly more here than on the mainland. A solar hot water system taps Honolulu's year-round sun to do the heavy lifting, with an electric backup element covering the remaining load. Most households see a reduction of up to 40% on their monthly electric bill after installation. The system pays for itself through energy savings — and unlike a PV panel, a solar thermal collector has very few moving parts, which keeps long-term maintenance low.

What Size System Does a Honolulu Home Need?

Most Honolulu households of 2–3 people are well-served by a single flat-plate collector paired with an 80-gallon storage tank. A family of four typically requires two collectors and a 120-gallon tank. Because Oahu sits in a high-solar-yield zone, systems sized for mainland climates are often oversized here — correct sizing avoids stagnation and extends component life. Solar Help Hawaii performs a load calculation at every consultation, accounting for household size, roof orientation, and shading, before recommending a collector count and tank capacity. There is no single answer that fits every home, which is why an on-site assessment matters.

Rebates and Incentives Available to Honolulu Residents

Hawaii Energy Rebate

Hawaii Energy currently offers a $2,000 rebate per residential solar water heater installation on Oahu — available to electric utility ratepayers on a first-come, first-served basis while funds last. Customers must use a participating contractor to qualify. Solar Help Hawaii is familiar with the application process and handles the paperwork on your behalf.

Hawaii State Tax Credit

Hawaii's Renewable Energy Technologies Income Tax Credit (RETITC) covers up to 35% of system cost, capped at $2,250 per installation. This credit applies to state income tax liability and can be carried forward if it exceeds your tax due in the year of installation. Note: the federal residential solar tax credit expired December 31, 2025 — confirm current federal eligibility with a tax advisor.

City and County of Honolulu Interest-Free Loan

Income-eligible, owner-occupant homeowners in the City and County of Honolulu may qualify for an interest-free loan through the City's Rehabilitation Loan Program to finance solar hot water installation. This can be combined with the Hawaii Energy rebate to further reduce out-of-pocket cost.

How Solar Help Hawaii Installs Your System

Every installation follows the same five-step process so there are no surprises on install day.

Step 1: Free Home Assessment

A Solar Help Hawaii technician visits your property to evaluate roof condition, orientation, shading, and current water heater setup. This assessment determines the correct collector count and tank size for your household.

Step 2: System Selection and Permit Filing

We recommend a system matched to your load and submit all permit applications to the City and County of Honolulu. Permit timelines vary, and we keep you updated throughout.

Step 3: Installation Day

Our licensed Oahu crew mounts the collectors, installs the storage tank, connects the plumbing, and tests the full system before leaving. Most residential installs are completed in a single day.

Step 4: Rebate and Incentive Filing

We submit Hawaii Energy rebate documentation on your behalf and provide all documentation needed for your state tax credit filing. You receive copies of everything for your records.

Step 5: Ongoing Service and Tune-Ups

Hawaii Energy recommends a system tune-up every five years to maintain efficiency and extend equipment life. Solar Help Hawaii provides service and maintenance calls across Oahu — the same team that installed your system knows it best.

Why Honolulu Homeowners Trust Solar Help Hawaii

Solar Help Hawaii has installed and serviced solar hot water systems on Oahu for years, earning a reputation for responsive, honest service. When a customer's tank started leaking on a Friday evening, the team responded within minutes and resolved the issue the same night — something larger companies rarely do. Technicians arrive on time, explain every step of the work, and treat clients like neighbors, not ticket numbers. The company is locally owned, Honolulu-based, and services everything it installs.

Frequently Asked Questions

  • How much can a Honolulu homeowner save with a solar hot water heater?

    A solar hot water system can reduce water heating electricity costs by up to 40% on your monthly bill. For a family of four in Honolulu, that can translate to roughly $600 or more per year, depending on current Hawaiian Electric rates and household usage.

  • What rebates are available for solar hot water heaters in Honolulu?

    Honolulu homeowners can qualify for a $2,000 Hawaii Energy rebate, a Hawaii state tax credit up to $2,250, and an interest-free City and County of Honolulu rehabilitation loan for income-eligible owner-occupants. These incentives can be stacked to significantly reduce installation cost.

  • What size system does a Honolulu home need?

    Most 2–3 person Honolulu households need one flat-plate collector and an 80-gallon tank. A family of four typically requires two collectors and a 120-gallon tank. Solar Help Hawaii performs a load calculation at your home before making any recommendation.

  • How long does solar hot water heater installation take in Honolulu?

    Most residential installations are completed in a single day once permits are approved. Solar Help Hawaii handles all City and County of Honolulu permit filings and keeps you informed on timeline from assessment through install day.

  • Does Solar Help Hawaii service solar hot water systems after installation?

    Yes. Solar Help Hawaii services everything it installs across Oahu. Hawaii Energy recommends a tune-up every five years to maintain system performance. The same local team that installed your system handles all follow-up service calls.

Get a Free Residential Solar Hot Water Estimate in Honolulu

Call Solar Help Hawaii at (808) 561-3887 or request a free assessment online. We'll size your system, explain available rebates, and give you an honest quote — no pressure.