Hawaii solar owners are being pitched a way to add batteries and backup power to panels they already have, framed as a money-saver as the state's payback rules get stingier.

• Hawaii used to let solar owners sell power back to the grid at full value, but new rules pay a lower rate for what you export.
• The fix being pushed: store your daytime solar in a home battery and use it yourself at night instead of selling it cheap.
• Batteries also keep the fridge and appliances running during outages — timely with hurricane season and a storm possibly forming next week.
• New "AC coupling" tech lets a battery bolt onto existing panels from any installer without breaking your current Hawaiian Electric plan.
• State tax credits, utility rebates that cut you an upfront check, and no-interest solar loans are pitched to make the upgrade cheaper this year before the credits shrink in 2027.

Outlook: With state tax credits set to be trimmed next year, expect a push for Hawaii homeowners to add batteries now while the incentives are still full.