HECO, along with Maui Electric Co. and Hawaiian Electric Light Co., had set a 15 percent threshold for the amount of solar power that could be put on a single circuit during peak load. Individuals and businesses seeking to install PV systems that would breach the 15 percent threshold were required to conduct a costly interconnection requirement study, or IRS, before they could proceed.

Among the changes approved by the PUC was a new “streamlined supplemental review” mechanism so an individual or business will no longer automatically have to conduct an IRS if the project exceeds the 15 percent threshold. Supplemental reviews would be conducted by the utility at no charge and would be completed within 20 business days.