ABOUT

ABOUT US

Our company was founded by industry professionals who shared a common mission: to make solar simple and accessible for everyone. After years of working with other companies that treated customers as an afterthought, we decided to do things differently. We asked ourselves, how can we make this process transparent, efficient, and customer-focused? The result is a streamlined, hassle-free process that puts the customer at the center of everything we do. At Independent Energy, we believe that switching to solar energy should be easy and affordable. That’s why we work with our customers every step of the way, from the initial consultation to the final installation and beyond. We take the time to understand your unique needs and preferences, and we design a custom solar energy system that meets your specific requirements.

THE #1 SOLAR COMPANY IN HAWAII – INDEPENDENT ENERGY

Looking for a solar company in Hawaii? Don’t waste any of your time, energy, or investment with anything but the best – Independent Energy. We offer premium solar panel installation in Hawaii for both home and commercial buildings.

Let your money work for you, as you’ll save big on your energy bill each and every month while also raising the value of your home or commercial building!

Plus, investing in Hawaii solar panels is something you can feel good about – as you help society progress towards a greener, more eco-friendly energy source.

You have plenty of choices when looking for companies offering solar panels in Hawaii. But, when you’re looking for a local solar company that actually puts you first and helps you get the most bang for your buck, only one is worth working with – Independent Energy.

OUR MISSION

Independent Energy was founded upon a core belief that customers wanting to go solar needed a more transparent, fair, and most importantly, simpler, way to go solar. Through a quick and data-driven process and highly qualified staff, we are able to provide an unmatched experience, the Independent Difference. We stand out amongst other solar companies by having a customer-first sales process and pride ourselves in prioritizing what is best for the customer.

OUR TEAM OF EXPERTS

Desta Rudolph

Desta Rudolph

entrepreneur

WHAT MAKES US DIFFERENT

SERVICES

Our in-house design and installation team with over 20 years of experience in the field will ensure high quality and efficient services.

RETURN ON INVESTMENT

We work with our customers to ensure that the options we offer are tailored to their own needs. The systems we provide are sized correctly and optimized to achieve the fastest return on investment.

FINANCING
OPTIONS

Everyone can go solar! Request an estimate and ask us how we can help you finance your system.

LOCALLY OWNED

Independent Energy is a locally owned and operated business. This means that when customers go solar with us, not only do they receive the best value, they also are supporting a team of local staff.

OUR TEAMS

PRODUCTION

INSTALLATION

Desta Rudolph is an accomplished Solar Professional and entrepreneur. He graduated from Mililani Highschool in 2016 and recently completed his studies at the University of Hawaii – West Oahu in 2023. In addition to his professional pursuits, Desta finds solace in activities such as spearfishing, surfing, and hiking during his leisure time.

At the young age of 19, Desta embarked on his full-time solar career while simultaneously managing his studies. After three years of valuable experience in the Solar Industry, he took a bold step and established his own venture, Independent Energy Systems, LLC, in 2020. Since its inception, Independent Energy has rapidly gained a reputation as one of the most trusted and esteemed solar companies in the state. The company prides itself on exceptional customer service, backed by glowing customer testimonials. Having learned from his industry experience, Desta understands the importance of providing customers with a transparent and educational process, reflected in Independent Energy’s motto: “Solar Made Simple.” From the initial meeting to the activation of the solar system, the company strives to ensure a seamless and informative experience for its clients.

Presently, Independent Energy boasts a team of 12 dedicated employees. In 2022, the company achieved a remarkable revenue of $6 million and is on track to surpass this figure in 2023. As the President of Independent Energy, Desta actively contributes to various aspects of the business, with a particular focus on customer acquisition and training. His unwavering commitment to excellence and quality serves as the driving force behind the continuous improvements made within the company. The positive work culture and outstanding customer experience at Independent Energy make it a joyous experience for all involved, and I take immense pride in being part of the team. 

Beyond his entrepreneurial endeavors, Desta passionately advocates for renewable energy and the decarbonization of Hawaii. He actively participates in the Hawaii Solar Energy Association (HSEA), an organization dedicated to advancing the solar industry and aiding Hawaii in achieving its 100% Renewable Energy Goals by 2045. Through policy advocacy and lobbying efforts with local government and public utility commissions, Desta and the HSEA strive to make a meaningful impact. Additionally, he holds memberships in esteemed associations such as the Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA), GRID Alternatives, and serves as an Island Innovation Ambassador, further demonstrating his commitment to a sustainable future.

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Status: The program is capped at 50 megawatts (MW), as of right now we are at 6.2 MW.

  • Currently customers who are accepted into the program will receive $850 per kilowatt (kW).
  • After the first 15 MW is filled, the next 15 MW of committed capacity will receive $750 per kW.
  • After the next 15 MW is used the last 20 MW of committed capacity will receive $500 per kW.

Customers that are not currently enrolled in the company’s Net Energy Metering (NEM) Program will receive a fixed monthly bill credit for energy exported to the grid for three years. The credit is an amount equivalent to the respective retail rate for electricity exported during the two-hour period. After these three years are completed any underlying interconnection tariff export rates, if any, will apply.

Customers who wish to participate with an existing solar system and are presently enrolled in a customer energy program (such as Net Energy Metering, and Grid Supply or others) will continue to receive full benefits from these programs. Up to 5 kW of new panels may be added under existing programs. There is no limit on the size of an individual customer’s battery.

If you would like to add more than 5 kW of additional capacity of PV, it is possible as long as you still adhere to a 2:1 PV to battery output ratio. These apply to any interconnection tariff customers!

5/5

“We wholeheartedly recommend Independent Energy Hawaii for all your solar photovoltaic system needs. From our initial conversations with Desta to the final inspection with James, every interaction was extraordinarily positive. The team’s knowledge, honesty, and professionalism was exceptional. The whole process was done efficiently and reliably and we couldn’t be more appreciative. Every member of the team was professional, competent, and respectful in their dealings with us.”

– Sandy L

5/5

“Easily the most professional crew I ever had the pleasure of doing business with, and I never felt alone or in the dark thanks to Desta. He helped me with all my questions and I loved the fact that he was just a phone call away. Dedication to something like that is just hard to find nowadays. This company was a breath of fresh air for me and I wish I could do such an awesome crew justice with such a simple review. 10/10″

– Hank W

5/5

“Desta, Adam, Mike, Garrison and the rest of the Independent Energy Team are amazing. They were knowledgeable, responsive and helpful throughout our whole solar process. When issues came up (as they always do with projects), they went the extra mile to make sure everything worked properly.
Our panels and battery were installed on time as promised and are working great – just got our first ever $26 HECO bill!
This company cares about helping people and doing quality work, which is very rare these days. Hands down the best experience I’ve had with a company for home improvement/renovations. Highly recommend!”

– Matcha S.