Hawaii Energy offers limited time BONUS rebates for qualified residential solar hot water installations

Hawaii Energy offers limited time BONUS rebates for qualified residential solar hot water installations

3/17/2011 Filed under Press Releases

Hawaii Energy offers limited time BONUS rebates for qualified residential solar hot water installations.

HONOLULU (March 17, 2011) – For a limited time, starting March 21, 2011, Hawaii residents on Oahu, Maui County and Hawaii Island will be able to take advantage of rebates up to $1,750 when they replace their old electric water heaters with solar water heaters. The increased rebates are made possible through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) and State Energy Program (SEP) fund, and will be available through May 31, 2011 or until the funds are exhausted.

The bonus rebates apply to all retrofit installations that are not already pre-approved by Hawaii Energy and are purchased between March 21 and May 31, 2011. Residents have two simple options for the offer:

FINANCED SYSTEMS
Under Hawaii Energy’s “Hot Water, Cool Rates”, Program, Hawaii residents who finance a new solar water heating system to replace their old electric water heater through a participating lender will now receive a bonus instant rebate of $750 for completing a simple questionnaire aimed at improving Hawaii Energy’s programs. The program currently offers select financial institutions a $1,000 incentive to buy-down the interest rate to 0% or a low rate for borrowers. This brings the total amount of assistance to $1,750.

CASH PURCHASED SYSTEMS
For Hawaii residents who replace their electric water heater with a solar water heating system, without financing through the “Hot Water, Cool Rates” Program, receive this limited time bonus rebate of $750. This will double the current $750 instant rebate to $1,500.

“We’re glad to be able to offer these bonus rebates to help residents take advantage of the benefits of solar water heating in these tough economic times,” said Ray Starling, Hawaii Energy’s Program Manager. “Solar water heating significantly reduces electricity usage and helps to lessen our state’s dependence on imported oil. It is a cornerstone of our clean energy efforts.”

Water heating costs can account for 30%-40% of the average Hawaii residential electric bill in a non-air conditioned home. A solar water heating system harnesses the sun’s heat to generate 90 percent of the energy needed to heat the water, resulting in savings of about $10 to $15 per person, per month, on average.

To take advantage of this offer, a list of Hawaii Energy’s participating Solar Contractors and Lenders can be found at http://hawaiienergy.com/94/hot-water-cool-rates. Installations are completed in one day and include a free 100-point quality inspection by Hawaii Energy.

For more information on Hawaii Energy programs, call (808) 537-5577, toll-free (877) 231-8222 or visit http://hawaiienergy.com.

*About Hawaii Energy: Hawaii Energy is a ratepayer-funded conservation and efficiency program administered by SAIC under contract with the Hawaii Public Utilities Commission serving the islands of Hawaii, Lanai, Maui, Molokai, and Oahu.

Media Contact:
Crystal Ingalls
Crystal.T.M.Ingalls@saic.com
808-521-2021
 

Please check below Hawaii Energy Link for the current Rebate situation:

http://www.hawaiienergy.com/news/view/57

Rebate amount may change soon depending on running out of Federal Funding.

Don't Wait.

Donation to Japan

Donation to Japan

OK, enough whining and ranting, Hawaii Trading made a donation of 15,000 Japan Airline Miles to help Japan recovery.

http://www.jal.co.jp/en/shien/

Japan airlines turns each mile into a Yen and donates the Yen to the "Red Feather Community Chest Movement", kind of like American Red Cross, and very popular with people in Japan.  See Below Link.

http://www.akaihane.or.jp/english/index.html

At roughly 80 yen per dollar, that is about $200 USD, and you can bet we will submit this as a tax deduction.

Please think about donating in some way.  

Hawaii Energy Rebate Doubles for Hot Water Panels

You could receive $1500 rebate for the Solar Hot Water panels until Federal Funding runs out.

Customer just fills out below simple application form.   The "normal" rebate is $750.

The program goes until May 31st, or until the Federal Matching Funds run out.  Don't miss out.

There are rules and limitations, please be aware and don't waste time.

Double the Instant Rebate!!! $1500 Free!!! Best Ever on Solar

This was totally unexpected and came out of the blue.   Yesterday we got an email stating that Hawaii Energy would double the Solar Hot Water rebate from $750 to $1500.  

AWESOME!!!!!

They are using some Federal Funds....and the period is Between March 21 (start of spring) and until the money runs out on the matching funds, or end of May if the money lasts that long.   IT WON"T!

This is the best deal ever.    EVER!    In order to lock in your rebate you need an agreement with a solar contractor who will get the HE authorization number that commits the money.

Don't delay, tell your friends and neighbors if you already have solar.  This is the biggest thing in solar.

Oil is up, soon that hits your electric bill hard.    Do a pre-emptive strike, and get a real strategy rather than just paying the bill when it comes.  Protect your family and your budget.   Do solar now!

Call 671-5566 or email to solar@pacific-energy.com

RAQ "Recently Asked Questions", TUNE UP, and WHAT IS A SYSTEM?

1) My tax person says I can only get $5000 back from the State of Hawaii, I thought I could get more?

Cindy, I think they mean $5000 per system, with a system defined as the number of tie-in points to your building electrical system, i.e. the number of breakers that goes to the PV

One of the reasons we designed in a new subpanel--to accommodate your 2 systems.   Seriously take a picture of the sub-panel in the garage, nicely labeled as Sys 1 and Sys 2

http://oahusolar.blogspot.com/p/tax-benefit-links.html

 

System as further clarified by this tax info letter, attached. (see tax tab page of this blog)

Print a picture of your subpanel with 2 PV systems, print and put in your tax archive file you give to your tax person.

 2) What is the Periodic Solar Maintenance (TUNE UP), and how much does it cost?

Jeff, you should do annual flushing and in the hard water of Hawaii, replace a tank anode every 3 years.

We put 2 anodes in every tank to keep them from rusting--No one else does this!

With no maintenance, tanks last 5 to 9 years, the warranty is 6 years, imagine that.

1) 3 year “Tune - Up!   Your tank can easily last 25 to 30 years.  

2) Change Pressure and temperature relief valve – this is a very important safety device.    If this device completely fails the tank can actually blow up, and there are documented videos of tanks flying several hundred feet in the air, obviously very dangerous.    What is more likely though is that at high pressure above 150PSI your house plumbing would simply be breached, the worst case is that it would be the hot water pipe that is most subject to corrosion….under your house slab.    Think about the cost to either find that, cut holes in your slab, fix it, and then hope that was the only hole.

3) Change pressure relief valve on solar panel

4) 25 other little inspections and spruce ups, including replacing about 6 to 8 feet on insulation on your roof top panel piping.  

5) Includes operational check through observation.   If the controller or sensors seem questionable we can test them with a Multi-meter to verify their condition. 

The cost is $375.00 plus tax.   

Or think about a solar attic fan, top quality, not goofy Costco plastic foreign made junk that might last 2 years, installed into asphalt shingle roof, will handle up to about 1200SF, manufacturer says 1800SF, but not in Hawaii.    $1400.00 plus tax=$1465, and I will throw in a free solar Tune-Up.   If you pay State and Fed tax you should be eligible for 35% and 30% tax credits on the solar fan….net cost to you = $513.08--NO Discounts can be applied to this price, this is fully discounted already.

Fan comes with 25 year warranty, AND I have never had to do a repair on a single one out of around 700 installed.

Japan Crisis

Seems like things are getting worse.   It appears that the containment vessel and the pressure vessel (outer protective concrete shell) are both breached, radiation on outside is increasing above safe levels, and all plant personnel are being evacuated except maybe just a few.  Water used for emergency cooling is leaking out faster than they can pump it in.

Untranslated to English on the TV, but translated by my wife, the Prime Minister has talked to the plant operators telling them "prepare yourselves, only you guys can do this."   Got it?


The information being provided is sketchy, maybe there is little information.   Why don't they have cameras and robots in there?

http://www.ustream.tv/channel/nhk-world-tv

Energy Funnies (kind of! LOL)

Oil is going parabolic, gas follows immediately.   Your electric bill follows in a month or two.    The Utility doesn't need any authorization from PUC to increase your rates if oil goes up--they just do it.    It comes with a small lag period, perfect time to get a real Strategy---if your strategy is just paying the electric bill when it comes, this is a great time to re-think that "Strategy".

It is pretty simple and straightforward, call us.   If there is a way to reduce your bill, we can help you achieve it.   Think about how good it would feel if you saw oil going to $300 and knowing that you already protected yourself and your family from that, without reducing your lifestyle.

At least protect your family at your house, get hot water solar and PV.    And in the future, think about the electric car.   It is a good technology, well, unless your have HECO burning oil to make the electricity.   If you are making your own electricity, electric cars make sense on a number of levels.

I have a Master Degree in Engineering from the University of Michigan as well as being an AEE Certified Energy Manager.   I have done the calcs.   For the average commuter, put 7 panels on your roof, charge your car overnight in 8 to 12 hours, and you won't need to buy gas either.    That's for the future, near future.   For now, protect your family at the house.

Tsunami of Solar Panel Interest and Savings

Our prayers go out to all those in Japan who have lost and are suffering.

Although we think there is a high likelihood of more nuclear power plants, especially as electric cars become more mainstream, we can't fully subscribe to the theory that nuclear is "green".    Let's hope the best for Japan and that there aren't any big problems with their Nuclear plants.

Oil up over $100 sure generates a lot of phone calls and interest in solar.   And it should.    Oil and other commodities will be gamed up and down, but the general trend is up.

Why not lock in your electric rate at zero?  Make your own electricity.    You mean to say that you are still buying that stuff?    That is so old school, and not in a good way.

Everyone who takes the plunge --- loves it.

Avoiding expenses & taxes is responsible

Don't delay from protecting yourself from high oil cost.  Soon, the cost of oil will show up in your electric bill.  These banks only charge 1 or 2%.  you can use their money in order to make 20 - 25% annual rate of return investment.
That is no brainer.  What are you waiting for?