Benefits abound for homeowners and businesses using solar power panels in Hawaii.

The Hawaii Public Utilities Commission ruled on Wednesday that those whose panels contribute to the electric grid will be paid nearly 0.22 cents per kilowatt hour, a feed-in tariff program used in Germany, under consideration in California, and gaining popularity in the region where Hawaii is setting a precedent.

"This is an option for people who generate more energy than they use," said Scott Seu, vice president for energy resources at Hawaiian Electric, which serves most of Hawaii's power needs with two subsidiaries. "It's for anybody who has a fair amount of open space that's not being used."

The effort is a component of Hawaii's goal to acquire 70 percent of its power from clean sources by 2030. Forty percent is projected to come from renewable sources and 30 percent will come from enhanced efficiency.

The ruling guarantees a fixed price for generators of renewable energy for their power for 20 years.