Hawaii regulators have opened a new docket to investigate the HECO companies’ proposed Community-Based Renewable Energy (CBRE) program. The PUC issued an order suspending HECO’s filing, stating that:  (1) the majority of HECO’s requests in its filing are related to docketed matters that require PUC approval; (2) “critical details” are missing from the filing, including details regarding curtailment procedures; (3) the proposed capacity allocations do not appear to be appropriate; and (4) HECO failed to explain why it would require developers to retain at least 25% of the total output to sell directly to HECO via a PPA.

The PUC also directed HECO to provide details on its evaluation of “the potential for additional capacity to accommodate solar plus storage in Phase 1,” while adding that multiple tariff-related documents (e.g., a model participant contract and model PPAs) had not yet been filed, even though they are critical to the PUC’s understanding of the effects of the proposed program and how it complies with the legislation requiring the creation of the CBRE program. (Note: HECO subsequently submitted the tariff-related documents requested by the PUC.)