Hawaii Energy has opened applications for its Empower Grant program to help businesses save on energy costs, the company recently announced.
The program launched in 2020 and is designed to help cover the cost and installation of certain energy-efficient equipment for local nonprofits, small businesses and restaurants on Hawaii Island, Lanai, Maui, Molokai and Oahu. Grants are disbursed to selected applicants upon verification of project completion.
Last year, organizations could apply for the Empower Grant to receive up to $6,000, and this year qualified projects in Maui County and on Hawaii Island can be awarded up to $9,000, according to Hawaii Energy. Oahu businesses can receive up to $6,000 per project.
"Hawaii Energy receives ongoing feedback that Maui County and Big Island businesses typically encounter higher costs for shipping equipment and sometimes even need to pay for Oahu-based labor to complete specialized installations," a Hawaii Energy spokesperson said in an email to PBN. "This increase is designed to help offset some of those costs and make the program more accessible to customers in those counties."
Hawaii Energy shared with PBN that this year there will be up to $800,000 available for the program.
“Using energy-efficient equipment is a powerful way for local organizations to cut operational costs and enhance their sustainability efforts,” Hawaii Energy Executive Director Caroline Carl said in a statement. “Last year alone, we were able to fund more than 200 projects that are projected to save grantees more than $1.5 million off their electric bills throughout the lifetime of the installed equipment. On average, applicants have saved $1,000 annually on their energy bills, and we are eager to continue this trend of impactful savings.”
Examples of eligible equipment:
- Air conditioners and other HVAC system upgrades
- Solar water heaters
- Commercial kitchen equipment
- Window films/tinting
For a full list of qualified equipment that the grant can cover, click here.
The grant may be used to cover installation-related costs such as labor, shipping of required parts and accessories, and old equipment removal.
Applicants must be a commercial utility account holder and be a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization, small business with electric rate Schedule “G”, small business with a facility less than 5,000 square feet, or a restaurant.
Businesses can apply for the Empower Grant until Dec. 1, or until funds are exhausted. Grants will be awarded on a first-come, first-served basis.
Hawaii Energy said in its announcement, since the program launched, it has distributed "more than $5 million to more than 450 local organizations such as Zippy’s, Hawaii Theatre Center, the Salvation Army, and Take’s Variety Store on Molokai."
Interested businesses can visit Hawaii Energy's website for further application details.
