Last DSIRE Review: 03/13/2013
Program Overview:
| State: |
Hawaii |
| Incentive Type: |
State Rebate Program |
| Eligible Renewable/Other Technologies: |
Solar Water Heat, Solar Attic Fans |
| Applicable Sectors: |
Commercial, Residential, Fed. Government |
| Amount: | Residential Solar Water Heating: $1,000 upfront, or
Residential Solar Water Heating Interest Loan Buy-Down: $1,000
Residential Solar Attic Fans: $50
Commercial: $250 per 12,000 Btu/hr derated capacity |
| Equipment Requirements: | Must be SRCC OG-100-certified. |
| Installation Requirements: | Extensive installation requirements; see program web site for details. |
| Funding Source: | Public Benefits Fund |
| Program Budget: | $4.8 million (PY 2012, July 2012-June 2012) |
| Web Site: |
http://www.hawaiienergy.com/16/water-heating#solar-water-heating
|
Summary:
Hawaii Energy, a third-party administered public benefits fund, provides incentives for energy efficiency and conservation to customers of the Hawaiian Electric Company (HECO) and its subsidiaries, Maui Electric Company (MECO) and Hawaii Electric Light Company (HELCO). This incentive is available for installations on the islands of Oahu, Hawaii, Maui, Lanai and Molokai. Residential customers who install solar water heaters are eligible for a one-time rebate of $750. Commercial customers may receive custom incentives. The program, which began in June 1996, has supported the installation of more than 50,000 home solar water heaters in Hawaii. In July 2009, the administration of this rebate program transferred from the utilities over to Hawaii Energy.
Residential utility customers in Hawaii, Honolulu, and Maui counties can choose between a direct upfront rebate of $1,000 or a $1,000 interest rate buydown. They cannot receive both. The upfront incentive is paid to the installer and deducted from the customer's final bill. The interest rate buydown is paid to participating lenders. The lender, in turn, will provide the customer with a 0% or low interest loan depending on the customer's credit and/or the financial institution. The commercial rebate for solar water heaters take a prescriptive approach, but are evaluated on a case-by-case basis for utility customers in Hawaii, Honolulu, and Maui counties. Commercial customers receive $250 per 12,000 Btu/hr derated capacity.
Hawaii Energy provides a list of participating contractors that have agreed to comply with the programs' rigorous standards regarding equipment use and installation. A participating contractor will visit the home or business, analyze the building's hot water usage, and provide a bid for a complete installation, including the anticipated energy savings. Hawaii Energy will perform a comprehensive post-installation inspection to ensure the system was installed to meet the proper standards. Customers may also qualify for the Hawaii State Energy Tax Credit and the federal tax credit for solar water heaters. |
