Committees pass HB 350 to maintain solar water-heater mandate language; industry urges careful comparisons with heat-pump standards

House Bill 350, HD2, relating to energy and water-heating requirements passed the committees unamended after testimony from local industry and energy stakeholders.

Brian Gold, president of Interisland Solar Supply, testified that solar water heaters are held to a standard to meet substantially all of a home’s water-heating load (defined in testimony as roughly 90–110 percent), which makes cost comparisons with heat-pump water heaters misleading. Rocky Mould of the Hawaii Solar Energy Association said the current law is "working as intended" and noted the variance process allows heat pumps where justified.

Monique Schaeffer of the Hawaii State Energy Office stood on written testimony in support. Committee chairs said an informal working group has been discussing the issue and that continuing discussions among parties would be productive. The chairs moved directly into decision making and passed HB 350, HD2, unamended; the chair and vice chair voted aye and the recommendation was adopted by the members present.

Committee members did not adopt further changes during the hearing; staff will reflect the committee’s recommendation in the committee report.