Maui Electric Company's Feed-In Tariff ("FIT") program is, designed to encourage the addition of more renewable energy projects in Hawaii. Pre-established FIT rates and standardized FIT contract terms provide an easy
way for individuals, small businesses, governmental entities, or other developers to sell renewable energy to Maui Electric. This site provides information to help prospective FIT generators determine the feasibility projects
and submit them for approval.
On September 14, 2012 the Public Utilities Commission issued Order 30635 ruling on multiple motions in Docket 2008-0273. This Order clarifies certain issues regarding
the administration of the FIT queues. Applicants in the Tier 2 Active and Reserve queues are responsible for ensuring that their projects are compliant with Order 30635. In accordance with the Commission’s Order, Maui Electric provides the following information to Applicants:
What are the acceptable forms needed to demonstrate compliance of the Tier 2 Building Permit Application Pre-Qualification?
The Building Permit Application issued by the County of Maui. Any one of the following 4 forms, with the required information, are accepted forms of demonstrating compliance.
Examples, with the required information (highlighted in yellow), are shown by clicking on the links below:
For FIT applications that were received before January 3, 2012, the Created date must be on or before January 3, 2012.
All other FIT applications, the Created date must be on or before the FIT application date.
A copy of the Building Permit: the Date Issued must be visible.
For FIT applications that were received before January 3, 2012, the Date Issued must be on or before January 3, 2012.
All other FIT applications, the Date Issued must be on or before the FIT application date.
Projects located on rooftops in Maui County do not require a Building Permit.
Please demonstrate that the building permit is not required and upload a Letter stating that your project is located on the
roof of a building. All items must be submitted on the HECOFITIO website.
Instructions for posting conforming building permit documentation to the website.
Order 30635 approves Part III.A of the HECO Companies’ proposal (link to Motion for Reconsideration and/or Clarification) for updating the queue. In order to manage the queue on a going
forward basis, the Companies must first remove all applications which are not fully compliant with existing application processes and requirements and relevant Commission orders.
To the extent an applicant can demonstrate that it has submitted a complete building permit application that meets the Commission’s timeliness standard the Companies will consider that
application to be in compliance with Order 30635.
The documentation file should be in PDF format with the following naming convention:
aa-pp BPA mm-dd-yyyy where
aa is the applicant number,
pp is the project number and
mm-dd-yyyy is the date the building permit application number was issued.
For example, Applicant #100 would name their file for project 01 as 100-01 BPA 09-07-2011.PDF.
The file should be uploaded to the HECOFITIO website into the Permits and Documentation folder for the project. The deadline for submitting proof of meeting the building permit requirement
is 11:59 p.m. Friday, September 21, 2012.
The management of the FIT application and queuing process is being conducted by Accion Group, Inc., who also serves as the Independent Third Party Observer overseeing the FIT program on behalf of the Commission.
To register and apply you will leave MECO's secured website and be taken to the Accion Group's website,
please click here.
To view Sample Pre-Qualification Check Lists, Sample Applications for Tier 1,2,3 and other Feed-In Tariff related documents click here.
Under the guidelines issued by the Hawaii Public Utilities Commission, renewable technologies eligible for the FIT include photovoltaic (PV), concentrated solar power (CSP), in-line hydro, and on-shore wind. See below:
Tier
Project Size
1
0-20 kW on all islands
2
Greater than 20 kW and up to and including:
PV: 500 kW on Oahu, 250 kW on Maui and Hawaii, and
100 kW on Lanai and Molokai;
CSP: 500 kW on Oahu, Maui and Hawaii, and
100 kW on Lanai and Molokai;
In-line hydro: 100 kW on all islands;
Onshore wind: 100 kW on all islands
3
Greater than Tier 2 maximums and up to and including the lesser of 5 MW on Oahu and 2.72 MW on Maui and Hawaii or 1% of the system peak load from the previous year,
Except that wind generation is precluded on Maui and Hawaii
The energy payment rates are determined by the technology type and the size of the project. See below:
Renewable Generator Type and Size
FIT Energy Payment Rate (¢/kWh)
Tier 1 PV = 20 kW
21.8
Tier 1 CSP = 20 kW
26.9
Tier l On-Shore Wind = 20 kW
16.1
Tier 1 In-line Hydropower = 20 kW
21.3
Tier 2 PV > 20 kW and = 250 kW on Maui
> 20kW and = 100 kW on Molokai and Lanai
18.9
Tier 2 CSP > 20 kW and =500 kW on Maui
> 20kW and = 100 kW on Molokai and Lanai
25.4
Tier 2 On-Shore Wind> 20 kW and = 100 kW
13.8
Tier 2 In-line Hydropower> 20 kW and =100 kW
18.9
Tier 3 PV >250 kW on Maui
19.7
Tier 3 CSP > 500 kW on Maui
31.5
Baseline FIT Rate
12.0
The energy payment rates specified in paragraph G(l) for solar energy technologies (PV and CSP) are based on the 35% Hawaii state renewable energy technologies income tax credit as prescribed in the Hawaii state tax code, Hawaii Revised Statutes ("HRS")Section 235-12.5. If the Seller provides written documentation at the time of application under this Schedule FIT that the Seller will elect the tax credit refund provision for solar energy technologies as provided in HRS Section 235-12.5(g), and prior to the Commercial Operation Date provides a copy of the actual tax filing to the Sate Department of Taxation documenting this election, the Company shall pay for each kilowatt-hour ("kWh") of electric energy delivered to the Company by Seller as follows:
Renewable Generator Type and Size
FIT Energy Payment Rate (¢/kWh)
Tier 1 PV = 20 kW
27.4
Tier 1 CSP =20 kW
33.1
Tier 2 PV > 20 kW and = 250 kW on Maui, > 20kW and = 100 kW on Molokai and Lanai
23.8
Tier 2 CSP > 20 kW and =500 kW on Maui, > 20kW and = 100 kW on Molokai and Lanai
27.5
Tier 3 PV > 250 kW on Maui
23.6
Tier 3 CSP > 500 kW on Maui
33.5
The rates paid by the Company for the electric energy purchased under this Schedule FIT may be adjusted periodically as ordered and approved by the Commission. The Seller shall receive the FIT energy payment rate in effect at the time of execution of the Schedule FIT Agreement for the entire term of the Schedule FIT Agreement, provided, however, that the FIT energy payment rate may be modified by the Commission during the term of the Agreement if it is determined by the Commission to be necessary to maintain the viability of Seller's development and operation of Facility due to changes in federal or state tax laws.
Who can participate?
Residential and business customers can participate as long as the available FIT capacity has not been exceeded. Current Net Energy Metering ("NEM") customers will receive a one-time choice to convert from NEM to FIT.
FIT Capacity
The capacity of the queue for FIT projects will be as follows:
Management of the FIT Application and Queuing Process
The management of the FIT application and queuing process is being conducted by Accion Group, Inc., who also serves as the Independent Third Party Observer overseeing the Maui Electric FIT program on behalf of the Commission. A link to the Accion's FIT webpage will be provided when it is operational.
Contact Us
For questions and inquires regarding Maui Electric Companies' FIT, please email them to: mecofit@mauielectric.com
Feed-In Tariff Documents and Frequently Asked Questions:
