Grant For Energy Savings

Hawaii Energy News Release 

Molokai nonprofits, small businesses and restaurants can receive grants of up to $6,000 for eligible energy efficiency projects through the EmPOWER Grant program. Applications will be available beginning Aug. 1 and must be submitted by Sept. 29. Organizations may apply for a grant of up to $6,000, depending on the equipment type, which may cover up to 100 percent of eligible project costs.

EmPOWER Grant funding may be used to cover the following expenses of energy efficiency projects: new energy efficient equipment, including HVAC systems, window film, ENERGY STAR® certified commercial kitchen appliances, and refrigeration technologies like motor controls and adding doors and anti-sweat controls to open cases; parts, accessories and other materials necessary for installation; labor for old equipment removal, site preparation and installation of energy efficiency measure(s); shipping costs for equipment and materials; taxes for the preceding items.

To be eligible for the EmPOWER Grant, applicants must fulfill the following requirements: be a commercial rate schedule account holder of an electric utility on the island of Hawaii, Lanai, Maui, Molokai or Oahu where the electricity-saving energy efficiency measure is being installed. Businesses must fall into one of the following categories: 501(c)3 nonprofit organization, small businesses with electric rate Schedule “G,” small business with less than 5,000 sq. ft. facility, restaurant, and must complete the installation with one of Hawaii Energy’s participating Clean Energy Ally contractors.

All eligible applications are competitively reviewed, and applicants, if selected for a grant award, will receive their project funding as a reimbursement after Hawaii Energy verifies the completion of their project. There is no requirement for applicants to make any purchases before learning whether they will be offered a grant award.

 Preference will be given to organizations that serve populations identified as ALICE (Asset-Limited, Income-constrained, Employed) or rural/other hard-to-reach communities, as well as organizations who have not participated with Hawaii Energy before. Since 2020, Hawaii Energy has distributed more than $3.5 million to more than 300 small businesses, nonprofits and restaurants through the grant program. Past recipients include Ko‘olau Distillery, The Arc of Hilo, Salvation Army, Children’s Discovery Center, The Molokai Dispatch, and Kula Sandalwoods Inn and Café.

For more information about the 2023-2024 EmPOWER Grant program, Hawaii Energy will be hosting a virtual webinar on Tuesday, Aug. 1, at 11 a.m. Interested applicants may register for the webinar at HawaiiEnergy.com/empower-grant.