The EmPOWER Grant program provides financial assistance to eligible small businesses and nonprofit organizations in Hawaii to reduce electricity costs through energy efficiency improvements. The program is designed to help commercial entities navigate rising energy prices by offering grants for energy-saving measures installed on the islands of Hawaii, Lanai, Maui, Molokai, and Oahu.
Eligibility requirements include: operating as a small business with less than 5,000 square feet of facility space, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, a small business receiving service under commercial rate Schedule G, a small business with demand of 30 kilowatts (kW) per month or less, or a restaurant. Applicants must be commercial rate schedule account holders of an electric utility serving one of the eligible islands.
The application process requires applicants to select an energy efficiency improvement project, obtain itemized quotes from Clean Energy Ally (CEA) contractors, and submit comprehensive documentation including the EmPOWER Grant Application, Hawaii Energy Commercial Incentive Application, IRS Form W-9, itemized project quotes, and proposed equipment specification sheets. For 501(c)(3) nonprofits, an IRS 501(c)(3) Determination Letter must also be provided. All applications should be submitted to Chester Carson at HE-Grants@Leidos.com as soon as possible to ensure consideration.
Eligible project types and equipment are detailed in a separate document listing eligible measures and associated potential grant caps. Grant awards are disbursed after project completion as a reimbursement once all required documentation has been submitted, verified, and approved by Hawaii Energy. A recorded webinar with additional information is available for prospective applicants.