Homeowners or Renters
What is GEM$?
The Green Energy Money $aver (GEM$) On-Bill Program is an innovative financing program for homeowners and renters offered exclusively by the Hawaii Green Infrastructure Authority that features:
- Immediate estimated bill savings
- Elimination of credit barriers
- Obligation tied to the utility meter (not a person)
- Program Charge payments conveniently made with your monthly electric utility bill
- Long-term financing of up to 25 years (for a more cash-flow friendly option) at a below-market, stated fixed rate of 5.5% per annum
- Homeowner or landlord will own the system. System owners may be eligible for tax benefits. Please contact your tax advisor for more information.
- Click here for more information on the Residential GEM$ On-Bill Payment Program
How does GEM$ work?
By tying the GEM$ on-bill obligation to the electric utility meter, HGIA is able to offer its inclusive financing program to all low- and moderate-income homeowners and renters, as the obligation transfers from ratepayer to ratepayer.
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The Ratepayer (homeowner or renter; the “Applicant”), will submit a GEM$ application to HGIA (Please note, however, if the ratepayer is a renter, the property owner(s) will also need to complete an application and program documents): https://hawaiigems2020.my.site.com/s/
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HGIA will determine the Applicant’s eligibility (Step 1)
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HGIA will determine the Project’s eligibility (Step 2)
- Upon approval and execution of program documents, and a valid Certificate of Insurance naming HGIA as Lender Loss Payee is submitted, a notice to proceed is given to your HGIA approved contractor to install the Energy Improvement
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HGIA pays the Approved Contractor for the completed installation
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Your program charge will conveniently appear on your monthly HECO, MECO, or HELCO bill as part of a single payment to your utility
List of Approved Energy Improvements (EI):
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Solar PV System
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Solar Thermal Water Heater
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Solar PV Water Heater
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Heat Pump Water Heater
- Energy Storage Systems
Qualifying for GEM$ is a simple 2-step process:
Step 1 – Applicant Eligibility
- Must be a Hawaiian Electric, Maui Electric or Hawaiian Electric Light Company customer on Rate Schedule R
- Minimum of 6 months of history with the Utility
- Households must be Low and Moderate-Income (LMI) (Defined as <140% Area Median Income per the U.S. Department of Housing & Urban Development and Hawaii Housing Finance & Development Corporation’s guidelines. Income limits are set for each county.)
Step 2 – Project Eligibility
- Energy Improvement (EI) must be on the Approved EI List
- Contractor must be a GEMS Approved Contractor
- Post-installation, the EI must meet the minimum utility bill savings standards detailed in the table below:
| Disconnection Notices | Tiered Estimated Bill Savings Requirement |
|---|---|
| 0 | ≥ 5% Savings |
| 1 – 4 | ≥ 10% Savings |
| 5+ | ≥ 15% Savings |
For an estimated bill savings, or to calculate additional load to assess bill savings for households interested in buying an electric vehicle, visit our Contractor page by clicking here.
Note:
HGIA requires HO3 Insurance from individual households and HO6 Insurance from condominium owners.
Energy Efficiency Contractor must also be a Hawaii Energy Clean Energy Ally
Renter will need landlord/property owner approval.
Landlords/Property Owners
The GEM$ On-Bill Program was designed to provide split incentives and innovative repayment mechanisms to increase landlord/property owner participation.
HGIA will work directly with property owners on program requirements. Please contact [email protected] for more information. The landlord application packet is available here .
HOW DO I APPLY FOR GEM$?
You can apply online or submit a paper application. Please have the following available for your application:
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Copy of a valid, government issued I.D.;
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Most recent electric utility bill;
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Copy of DHHL Lease, if you are a DHHL Lessee;
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Copy of Long Form Trust, if your property is held in Trust.
CLICK HERE TO APPLY ONLINE!*
*Please open in Chrome if you have trouble accessing the portal.
To download an application, click on the applicable link below:
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For HOMEOWNERS, click here to download a printable application packet
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For ADDITIONAL PROPERTY OWNERS, click here to download a printable application packet
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For RENTERS, click here to download a printable application packet
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For LANDLORDS, click here to download a printable application packet
Complete, sign and return, along with a copy of your most recent utility bill, a valid government issued ID card, copy of DHHL lease (if applicable) and copy of Long-Form Trust Agreement(s)* (if applicable) to: Hawaii Green Infrastructure Authority, P. O. Box 2359, Honolulu, HI 96804.
*If your property is held in trust, in addition to your Long-Form Trust Agreement(s), please enclose a check for the review fee payable to the Hawaii Green Infrastructure Authority for $230.37, per trust (rate effective as of 2/1/2024).
Helpful links:
Click here for tips from the US Department of Energy on selecting a solar contractor
Click here for information on how to right size your rooftop solar system
Calculate your Loan Payments
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Input the Total Amount ($) for the cost of your installation
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Leave Interest Rate (%) at “5.5%”
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Leave Amortization Period (years) as “19”
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Hit Calculate to see the amortization tables and loan payments for your installation!
