Hawaii Solar Scams: State's 2026 Warning Explained
On August 26, 2026, Hawaii's Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism, the Hawaiʻi Green Infrastructure Authority, and the DCCA Office of Consumer Protection issued a joint warning: reported deceptive and misleading claims by door-to-door solar sales representatives.
Two reported claims the state is warning about
According to the DCCA release, sales reps are:
- Claiming your contractor went out of business The DCCA says it has received reports of false contractor-closure claims. Verify a company's status through official records before responding to a sales pitch.
- Claiming a state program provides free solar PV and battery storage The DCCA warning says it has received reports of this claim and states that Hawaii does not provide free solar PV systems.
What the state actually says
Three facts worth memorizing:
- No free solar. The state does not provide free solar PV systems to homeowners.
- No state solar sales or program outreach. The DCCA says state employees do not sell solar or conduct program outreach through cold calls or door-to-door visits. If a salesperson claims to represent the state, verify that through an official agency contact. State employees can present official photo ID on request.
- Watch for fake affiliations. Reps have falsely claimed ties to HGIA, GEM$ (Green Energy Money $aver), other state agencies, and even the electric utility.
Door-to-door solar isn't banned — it's regulated
Door-to-door sales are subject to state and federal consumer-protection laws. The DCCA says deceptive or misleading tactics in these sales may violate HRS section 480-2.
- HRS §480-2 prohibits unfair or deceptive acts in commerce, including door-to-door sales. The DCCA says deceptive or misleading sales tactics may violate this law.
- The DCCA says consumers have three business days after a door-to-door sale to cancel without penalty or obligation. The FTC cooling-off guide explains that federal coverage is limited to certain sales; check its exclusions and the contract cancellation instructions.
Your verification checklist (evergreen)
Whether or not someone knocked on your door this week, run this checklist before signing any solar contract in Hawaii:
- Check the business records. Look up the contractor on DCCA's Business Check portal It lists license status, licensing complaints, and business registration. Compare names and any listed license details with the written quote.
- Verify production claims independently. If a salesperson promises your roof will produce a specific number of kWh per year, ask for the assumptions behind the projection. Run a location-based estimate with the BigEnergyCo calculator, which uses NASA POWER solar data. Treat the result as a model, not a roof inspection or guarantee; compare the proposal's system size and orientation.
- Check the cancellation terms. The FTC guide explains how to cancel a covered sale, what timing applies, and which sales are excluded. Keep the contract and cancellation notice, and verify how your sale is covered.
- Verify incentive offers directly. Ask for the official program name and confirm it through the agency's own site or published contact details. The DCCA says Hawaii does not provide free solar PV systems and warns about pitches claiming a state program gives away PV and storage.
- Report a misleading pitch. File with the Office of Consumer Protection at consumercomplaint.hawaii.gov or call 1-844-808-3222 (Ext. 5). Keep copies of the quote or paperwork and note the company name and date. For agency contact details, use the agency's official website.
The bottom line
The DCCA warning describes reported claims made in door-to-door solar pitches; it does not mean every solar offer is deceptive. Verify the seller, named program, and written terms through official sources. Treat production models as estimates and compare their assumptions with any proposal.
Estimate before you sign. Compare a location-based NASA POWER estimate with the written proposal; the calculator is a model, not a site inspection or guarantee.
Estimate solar potentialSources
- DCCA: State Warns Public About Misleading Door-to-Door Solar Sales (August 26, 2026; updated September 10, 2026)
- FTC: Buyer's Remorse and the Cooling-Off Rule
- NASA POWER project documentation