Hawaii Energy Connection

What Hawaii Energy Connection does

Hawaii Energy Connection is a Hawaii-based solar energy contractor that designs, engineers, permits, installs, and services turn-key photovoltaic (PV) systems for residential and commercial customers across all Hawaiian islands. The company serves non-profits, businesses of all sizes, building and land owners, churches, schools, and communities, with a separate residential platform branded Kumukit (kumukit.com). Its technical approach emphasizes micro-inverter technology for more accurate production prediction and optimized financial returns, paired with top-tier components from bankable manufacturers and unbiased third-party engineering review of structural and electrical plans. The company is OSHA certified, fully licensed and insured, and holds Hawaii Contractor Number #C31046.

The company is privately held and locally owned, founded by Managing Partners Steve Godmere and Chris DeBone, and recognized in Inc. Magazine's 2012 Top 500 list at 16th in the nation's energy sector. Its go-to-market combines a consultative direct-sales motion with dedicated project managers who guide customers through design, financing, utility programs (Net Energy Metering), permitting, installation, and post-install support. Marketing relies heavily on documented commercial case studies with quantified system sizes, an official Facebook presence, and a high customer referral rate that the company attributes to its service culture.

Hawaii Energy Connection generates revenue through multiple streams: one-time PV system sales and installation, recurring Power Purchase Agreements (PPAs) of 15 years or longer where the company owns and operates the asset, and finance/operating leases delivered through partnerships with local lending institutions. Pricing is not publicly disclosed and is customized to site specifics, budget, and tax-credit appetite, with federal and state incentives and depreciation factored into project economics. The company's headquarters are at 99-1350 Koaha Place, Aiea, Hawaii.

Name

Hawaii Energy Connection

Legal name

Hawaii Energy Connection

Website

https://hawaiienergyconnection.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2007

Operating status

Operating

Short description

Hawaii Energy Connection is a locally owned Hawaii solar EPC contractor delivering turn-key residential and commercial photovoltaic installations across all Hawaiian islands, with integrated PPA, finance lease, and operating lease financing options.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Solar Installation Contracting

NAICS

Solar Electric Power Generation (221114)

SIC

Cogeneration Services & Small Power Producers (4991)

akta.pro primary industry

Solar EPC & Construction (Utility-Scale, Rooftop, Balance of System) (EUAMABAB)

akta.pro secondary industries

Solar Financing, Leasing & Ownership Platforms (Tax Equity, PPA, Securitization) (EUAMABAJ), Solar Inverters, Power Electronics & MLPE (String/Central Inverters, Optimizers, Microinverters) (EUAMABAE)

Keywords

• Photovoltaic solar installation
• Commercial solar solutions
• Residential solar systems
• Solar power purchase agreements
• Solar financing services

Headquarters

HQ city

Aiea

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Supply Chain, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D

Revenue model

1. PV System Sales and Installation: Turn-key photovoltaic system sales and installation services for commercial and residential customers. Revenue is generated through direct purchase of solar systems, with integrated financing options including finance leases and operating leases that provide flexible payment structures.
2. Power Purchase Agreement (PPA): Long-term agreements where the company builds, owns, operates, and maintains solar facilities on customer sites for 15 years or longer. Customers purchase the electricity generated at predetermined rates, providing predictable energy costs without ownership responsibilities.
3. Finance and Operating Leases: Flexible financing arrangements where customers lease solar systems. Finance leases are similar to bank financing with flexible terms, while operating leases function as rental contracts with fixed terms, often allowing off-balance-sheet treatment for lessees.

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

Hawaii Energy Connection designs, engineers, permits, installs, and services turn-key photovoltaic (PV) solar energy systems for residential and commercial customers across the Hawaiian Islands. The company provides integrated financing options including Finance Leases, Operating Leases, and Power Purchase Agreements (PPAs) so customers can adopt solar with little or no upfront capital. Micro-inverter technology is used to improve production prediction and optimize financial returns.

Product overview

Hawaii Energy Connection offers turn-key photovoltaic (PV) solar energy solutions through two primary product lines: Residential Solar and Commercial Solar Solutions. The company provides complete end-to-end services including design, engineering, permitting, installation, and system monitoring. Additionally, the company offers three integrated financing options—Finance Lease, Operating/True Lease, and Power Purchase Agreement (PPA)—to make solar adoption accessible without upfront capital requirements. All installations use top-tier equipment from world-class manufacturers with micro-inverter technology for optimized financial returns.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Residential Solar Turn-key photovoltaic solar systems engineered for residential properties, including top-tier equipment, maximum productivity design, and worry-free operation with financing options; delivered via the Kumukit platform to individual homeowners.
• Commercial Solar Solutions Complete custom PV solar solutions for businesses, non-profits, churches, schools, and communities covering design, engineering, permitting, installation, integrated financing, PPA options, and ongoing system monitoring and support.
• Finance Lease Flexible financing arrangement similar to conventional bank financing with 100% financing covering installation, freight, and sales tax, and flexible payment terms for commercial solar customers.
• Operating Lease (True Lease) Rental contract with fixed terms for businesses that cannot take advantage of tax incentives or prefer to pay with operating dollars rather than capital, often allowing off-balance-sheet treatment for lessees.
• Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) Long-term agreement (15 years or longer) where HEC or its partner builds, owns, operates, and maintains a solar facility on the customer's site; the customer purchases the electricity at predetermined rates without owning or maintaining the system.

Quantifiable outcome

• PV systems on Oahu can pay for themselves in 3 years with minimal NET investment after Federal and State Tax Incentives and scheduled depreciation
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers10 records

Segments2 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature1 record

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves1 record

Expansion highlights5 records

Market position

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/pages/Hawaii-Energy-Connection-LLC/141179442747182

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Hawaii Energy Connection