Hawaii’s $Millions In Energy Rebates Arrive: Will Your Home Or Business Qualify?

Dozens of rebate opportunities await Hawaiian residents and businesses looking to upgrade their energy systems in 2025 and beyond. The state’s ambitious HEAR and HOMES Energy Rebate Programs are set to launch next year, targeting those willing to invest in highly efficient appliances.

Sure, you’ll need to meet income requirements—150% of Area Median Income or be enrolled in federal assistance programs—but the payoff could be substantial. Even renters can get in on the action, though they’ll need their landlords to play along.

Solar water heaters are the golden ticket for homeowners, with a whopping $2,000 instant rebate up for grabs. Already have solar? Get it tuned up and collect some cash. These offerings aren’t available forever, though. First come, first served is the name of the game.

And Kauai residents? You’re out of luck. The island’s excluded from these particular programs.

Businesses aren’t being left out in the tropical sun. EV charging station installations qualify for rebates through June 2026. Energy audits could net companies $0.12 per kWh saved, with bonus incentives for reducing peak evening usage. These rebates are designed to provide fast and affordable relief for businesses facing high utility costs.

Even vending machine retrofits get a modest $50 rebate. Not bad for installing a sensor.

The paperwork, however, is no beach day. Applications require invoices, supporting documents, and product specifications. Miss a form? Back of the line you go.

Beyond these programs, Hawaii offers additional incentives through its Renewable Energy Technologies Income Tax Credit. With solar energy costs dropping 90% since 2009, these incentives make sustainable energy more accessible than ever before. Some counties even reduce property taxes for energy upgrades. Wind energy producers can catch a break through Enterprise Zones, trading tax reductions for creating jobs.

The limitations? Plenty. Not every technology qualifies, and approved product lists can be frustratingly specific. Programs change without warning—funding vanishes, requirements shift.

Switching to energy-efficient options like heat pumps can deliver up to 40% savings on electric bills compared to traditional water heaters.

And while millions are available, the money won’t last forever. Hawaiian energy efficiency comes at a price. Sometimes that price is bureaucracy.