House committee advances bill to let licensed professionals self‑certify residential solar permits

The House Committee on Consumer Protection & Commerce advanced HB1984 HD2 on March 4, 2026, a bill that would allow licensed professionals to self‑certify permits for many behind‑the‑meter solar and energy‑storage systems, enabling applicants to proceed to installation without waiting for county permit approval.

Proponents from industry and state agencies told the committee the change is aimed at cutting lengthy permitting delays that currently slow rooftop solar projects. “HSEA strongly supports HB1984 HD2,” said Rocky Mold, executive director of the Hawaii Solar Energy Association. He told members the bill would reduce administrative delays and lower project soft costs for homeowners and local businesses.

Andrew Cave, an engineer at the Public Utilities Commission, said the PUC submitted written comments and stood ready to answer questions, and representatives from the Department of Land and Natural Resources also offered comments. Several local solar contractors testified in support, including Paul Orums of Photon Works Engineering and Rachel Au, co‑founder and president of La Lama Solar, who described long queues at the county Department of Planning and Permitting that leave completed projects waiting months for approval.

A representative of Holo Energy, speaking as the company’s president but not identified by name in the record, described the licensing and insurance requirements that licensed architects and engineers already satisfy and said self‑certification would not shift liability away from those professionals. Josh Powell, CEO of Revolution Sun and a licensed architect, said his company had completed thousands of installations with few safety issues and urged the committee to pass the bill.

Committee members questioned witnesses about county pilot programs, FEMA floodway language included in the bill, and whether self‑certification would remove critical county inspections. Witnesses and testifiers repeatedly noted that counties retain post‑installation inspection authority and that licensed professionals would remain responsible for certified designs.

At the end of the hearing the committee adopted the chair’s recommendation to pass HB1984 HD2. The committee record shows representatives voted in favor, with some members noting reservations about county home‑rule implications.