Hawaii regulators are starting a process that may lead to the creation of a system where residents could finance expensive up-front costs of solar power installations through their electric bills.
The Public Utilities Commission opened a docket for the program, called on-bill financing, this week.
Blue Planet Foundation Executive Director Jeff Mikulina says on-bill financing has the potential to bring renewable energy into many more homes in Hawaii.
He says the program could cut energy costs while accelerating the state’s clean energy production. Blue Planet is a group dedicated to making Hawaii energy independent.
The state Legislature passed and Gov. Neil Abercrombie signed a law calling for an investigation of on-bill financing and starting the program if regulators deem it to be feasible.
Read More: Hawaii investigating affordable solar power via Chron.com