Sunrun Complaints in Hawaii — What Homeowners Report (2026)
Hawaii Sunrun customers report NEM program changes, battery requirements, and aggressive Oahu sales that created contracts homeowners now want to exit. Here's what Hawaii law gives you.
Quick answer
Sunrun complaints in Hawaii most commonly involve the transition away from traditional net metering under HECO's (Hawaiian Electric) evolving rate programs, systems that were sold under NEM economics that have since changed, battery requirements that weren't clearly disclosed, and aggressive door-to-door sales on Oahu. Hawaii homeowners have a 3-day right to cancel door-to-door contracts and remedies under Hawaii's Unfair and Deceptive Acts and Practices (UDAP) law.
Hawaii has one of the highest solar penetration rates in the country — and one of the most complex regulatory environments. Hawaiian Electric (HECO) has implemented multiple program changes that have dramatically affected the economics of existing solar systems. Sunrun customers on Oahu and the neighbor islands are dealing with rate program transitions, battery system complications, and in some cases, contracts that made financial sense under old programs but don't under current ones. Here's what Hawaii law gives you.
Hawaii's Net Metering History and Sunrun
Hawaii ended its traditional net metering program (NEM) in 2015, one of the first states to do so. HECO has since implemented several successor programs — Smart Export, Customer Self-Supply (CSS), and Customer Grid-Supply Plus (CGS+) — each with different export credit rates and program requirements. Sunrun customers who signed under one program's economics have sometimes been transitioned to successor programs with lower export credits, affecting their savings.
Sunrun Hawaii sales reps have been accused of not clearly explaining Hawaii's complex rate program landscape, oversimplifying savings projections, and in some cases presenting economics based on programs that the homeowner may not qualify for based on their specific usage pattern and grid connection status.
Battery System Complications in Hawaii
HECO's newer rate programs (particularly CSS) are designed for solar-plus-storage — they're optimized for homeowners who pair solar with a battery system. Sunrun has been selling battery systems (often Tesla Powerwall) alongside solar in Hawaii, and complaints involve: battery systems that don't perform as represented, warranties and maintenance responsibilities that weren't clearly explained, and the additional cost of batteries that wasn't clearly factored into the total system economics at sale. Learn about what to do when your solar system isn't working as expected.
Your Legal Rights in Hawaii
Hawaii's Unfair and Deceptive Acts and Practices (UDAP) law prohibits unfair methods of competition and unfair or deceptive acts in commerce. UDAP violations allow recovery of actual damages plus attorney's fees. The Hawaii Office of Consumer Protection (cca.hawaii.gov/ocp) investigates consumer complaints. Hawaii also has a 3-day right to cancel home solicitation contracts under Hawaii's Door-to-Door Sales Act. File with the OCP, the Hawaii PUC for rate program issues, the BBB, and the CFPB.
What to Do Next
Hawaii solar complaints involving rate program misrepresentation and battery system issues are increasingly actionable. Get a free review at breakyoursolarcontract.com to identify your Hawaii law options.
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Frequently asked questions
What are the most common Sunrun complaints in Hawaii?
Hawaii Sunrun complaints most commonly involve HECO rate program transition issues, battery system performance and cost misrepresentation, savings shortfalls under newer HECO programs, and high-pressure Oahu door-to-door sales.
What happened to Hawaii's net metering?
Hawaii ended traditional NEM in 2015. HECO now offers programs like Customer Self-Supply and Customer Grid-Supply Plus with different economics. Systems sold under old program assumptions may underperform under current programs.
Can I cancel my Sunrun contract in Hawaii?
Hawaii's Door-to-Door Sales Act gives 3 business days to cancel home solicitation contracts. After that, Hawaii UDAP misrepresentation claims may provide remedies.
What is Hawaii's UDAP law?
Hawaii's UDAP prohibits unfair and deceptive acts in commerce, allowing recovery of actual damages plus attorney's fees. The Hawaii Office of Consumer Protection investigates violations.
How do I file a solar complaint in Hawaii?
File with the Hawaii Office of Consumer Protection at cca.hawaii.gov/ocp, the Hawaii PUC for rate program issues, the BBB, and the CFPB.
Do I need a battery with solar in Hawaii?
HECO's newer programs are designed to incentivize solar-plus-storage. Whether a battery is required or financially beneficial depends on your specific HECO program and usage pattern — something that should be clearly disclosed during the sales process.