Energy.gov

Hawaii Revised Statutes (HRS) §46-19.6 requires each county agency that issues building, construction, or development-related permits to establish a procedure for priority processing of permit applications for construction projects incorporating energy and environmental design building standards. The priority processing will be provided at no additional cost.

NOTE: Kauai Island Electric Cooperative's (KIUC) net metering program has reached its capacity and has implemented a Net Energy Metering Pilot Program.

Kauai Island Utility Cooperative, a Touchstone Energy Cooperative, offers incentives to its commercial customers for installing energy efficient equipment. The eligible replacements are identified by a survey and reported by KIUC’s Commercial Energy Services Representative. After the equipment has been installed, KIUC performs a follow-up visit to verify that all equipment has been installed and is working properly. Once verification is completed, an incentive payment will be issued.

Through a partnership with Kauai Community Federal Credit Union (KCFCU) and Kauai County Housing Agency (KCHA), the Kauai Island Utility Cooperative (KIUC) provides qualifying members with zero-interest loans for solar water heating systems. The loan is available for installations of new systems, or to replace solar water heating systems that are over 15 years old and no longer work. KCHA, with funding from the Community Development Block Grant Program, and KCFCU provide funding for the loans.

Kaua'i Island Utility Cooperative's Commercial Energy Wise Program began in 1998. Participants will receive an energy use analysis and screening for the installation of cost-effective energy saving devices, including solar water heating systems. Commercial customers are eligible for a 50% to 80% rebate for solar water heating systems. Residential customers are eligible for a flat $800 rebate for each solar water heating system installed. The rebate is available for installations of new systems, or to replace solar water heating systems that are over 15 years old and no longer work.

'''''Note: The Federal Housing Financing Agency (FHFA) issued a [http://www.fhfa.gov/webfiles/15884/PACESTMT7610.pdf statement] in July 2010 concerning the senior lien status associated with most PACE programs. In response to the FHFA statement, most local PACE programs have been suspended until further clarification is provided. '''''

In September 2002, Maui Electric Company (MECO) and the County of Maui teamed up to launch the Maui Solar Roofs Initiative to increase the use of renewable energy in Maui County. MECO administers the loan program and, through the Hawaii Energy Program, offers a $750 rebate for installations through its approved independent solar contractors.

Hawaii requires the state’s retail electric suppliers to disclose details regarding the fuel mix of their electric generation to retail customers. Such information must be provided on customers’ bills or as a bill insert once annually.

The GreenSun Hawaii program works with various lenders throughout Hawaii to offer financing for renewable energy and energy efficiency upgrades. Through the program, homeowners may be eligible to finance Energy Star refrigerators, Energy Star air conditioners, solar water heating systems or heat pumps, and solar photovoltaic systems. Non-residential property owners may be eligible to finance lighting retrofits or upgrades, air conditioning, solar water heating systems, solar photovoltaic systems, and windows. An energy audit is required for non-residential property owners.

In June 2006, the Hawaii State Legislature enacted legislation to create a public benefits fund (PBF) for energy efficiency and demand side management. The statutory language included a provision that prevents the PBF funds from being re-appropriated by the legislature or put into the state treasury. This legislation granted authority to the Public Utilities Commission (PUC) to develop the details of the third-party administered public benefits fund. In December 2008, the PUC issued an order in Docket No. 2007-0323, outlining the structure of the PBF.