Hi, it's Bill. Let's talk straight about why electric bills are so painful here in Hawaii and what solar actually does about it.

Most of our power gets made by burning fuel that comes in on a ship. That's expensive, and it's why our electric rates are some of the highest in the country. It's not really about how much electricity you use, it's about how much it costs per kilowatt hour compared to almost anywhere else.

Solar panels change that math. Instead of buying every kilowatt from the utility, your roof makes a chunk of it for free. Over a year, that adds up to real savings, and over twenty years, it can add up to tens of thousands of dollars staying in your pocket instead of going to the electric company.

There are also tax credits at the federal and state level that knock a good amount off the upfront cost. Most people are surprised how much lower the real price ends up being once those credits kick in.

A properly sized system can last two or three decades with basic upkeep, so this isn't something you install and forget about after five years. It just keeps working for you.

Adding a battery on top of your panels makes the savings even bigger, since it lets you use your own solar power in the evening instead of buying it back from the grid at night.

I always tell folks the same thing. Don't buy more system than you need, and don't buy less than makes sense for your house. That's why we sit down and actually look at your bills and your roof before recommending anything.

If your electric bill has been creeping up and you're wondering if solar makes sense for your house, let's talk it through.

Come see us at Battery Bill's in Kalihi or Hilo, we'll give you honest numbers, not a sales pitch.