H.B. 327 Summary

• Prohibits building permits for new single-family dwellings in developments of 10 or more homes from January 1, 2024, unless they include a rooftop photovoltaic energy generating system with minimum 5 kilowatts capacity and battery storage.

• Exempts affordable housing developments as defined in section 201H-57(b) from the rooftop solar requirement.

• Allows variance approval by the Hawaii state energy officer if an architect or engineer attests that installation is impracticable due to poor solar resources or cost-prohibitive based on a 25-year life cycle cost-benefit analysis.

• Requires variance applications to be publicized within 7 calendar days of receipt, with decisions made within 60 working days; deemed approved if not denied within that timeframe.

• Authorizes the Hawaii state energy office to use energy security special fund moneys to administer the variance program and adopt rules to collect fees for administration costs.