Tigo Energy Expands 30MW Solar Base In Hawaii With Enhanced Flexibility And Performance

Tigo Energy, Inc., a leader in smart solar and energy software solutions, has announced a multi-island tour across Hawaii to introduce its advanced products and training programs. The initiative aims to provide greater flexibility, improved module efficiency, and more system design options for solar installations in the region. Tigo’s Flex Module Level Power Electronics (MLPE) devices currently power over 30 MW of solar installations in Hawaii, covering more than 600 monitored systems.

These systems range from small 1.5kW setups in homes to large 711kW systems for commercial and industrial (C&I) use. Hawaii has one of the largest solar and storage bases in the U.S., with a 96% storage attachment rate for new residential photovoltaic (PV) systems recorded just two years ago. Tigo’s equipment supports both new installations and existing systems, enabling significant performance improvements through targeted upgrades.

Tigo Energy’s MLPE solutions and the recently listed Energy Intelligence (EI) inverters from Methods & Materials (MM) are gaining popularity in Hawaii, offering flexible and reliable options that meet the state’s strict electricity standards. These technologies align with Hawaii’s ambitious target of achieving 100% renewable energy by 2045. Tigo’s solutions are ideal for the Hawaiian market, where customers using Tigo optimizers typically experience over 6% more energy production.

With a power rating of 700W+, Tigo optimizers are compatible with almost any solar module and avoid energy clipping issues common with some microinverters. Additionally, the EI Residential system’s DC architecture reduces energy conversion losses, saving customers an average of more than 5% compared to DC-coupled batteries. These features make Tigo and EI solutions a smart choice for maximizing solar energy efficiency in Hawaii.

Matthew Kunau, vice president of Construction Operations, Holu Hou Energy, LLC, said, “Our primary business is the design and installation of residential solar systems, and we have deployed more than 4,100 Tigo MLPE devices across 438 sites since switching to this equipment. The fact that Tigo places a big emphasis on compatibility with third-party components allows a ton of flexibility for us. Beyond the design flexibility, Tigo allows us to avoid losses from clipping and module mismatch, and our customers appreciate getting the most out of their systems.”

Jing Tian, chief growth officer at Tigo Energy, mentioned, “Hawaii’s renewable energy transition, coupled with rising electricity costs and favorable state incentives, has created a robust market for solar-plus-storage solutions. The Tigo EI Residential platform is designed to support this transition by providing both a path to simplified deployment of new systems, as well as a flexible and reliable way to upgrade systems that have already been deployed. As such, this solution empowers solar installers and new and existing solar homeowners.”

In 2022, Tigo’s EI inverter was included on Hawaiian Electric’s Qualified Grid Support Utility Interactive Inverters and Controllers list, reinforcing Tigo’s reputation for delivering reliable, grid-compliant solutions for the state’s solar-plus-storage market. With Tigo’s advanced monitoring capabilities, Hawaiian installers now have greater flexibility to address challenges like shading and soiling losses. They can also maximize energy production by preventing clipping, ensuring optimal performance for solar systems across the islands.