Payment Assistance
GEMS On-Bill Money Saver Program
The Hawaii Green Infrastructure Authority (HGIA) Green Energy Money $aver (GEM$) On-Bill Program helps eligible customers on all Rate Schedules (except Schedule "F") reduce electricity costs by installing approved Energy Improvements such as private rooftop solar systems, solar hot water systems and/or commercial energy efficiency retrofits, which are repaid through the customer's electric bill.
Unlike traditional lending that looks at credit scores or income, determining eligibility for GEM$ is faster and more streamlined. There are only a few requirements:
- You must be a customer of Hawaiian Electric with no disconnection notices over the past 12 months, with a minimum of 6 months of history with the company.
- The request must have a post-installation minimum estimated bill savings of at least 10%, including the repayment required for the installation costs.
- Effective September 1, 2019, eligible 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).
The Hawaii Green Infrastructure Authority also works with renters and landlords for investment properties to help facilitate clean energy options for renters. Renters (with landlord permission) who pay their own electric bills can reduce those bills with no money down and without the long-term personal credit risk as would be the case with traditional financing. Because this obligation is tied to the meter and not customers, once renters close their utility account at move-out, they have no further responsibility to pay on the obligation.
For more information, please visit the HGIA website at http://gems.hawaii.gov. Should you have any additional questions, please call HGIA at (808) 587-3868 (Neighbor Islands, call toll-free at 1-833-226-1156) or email at dbedt.gems@hawaii.gov.
How can I apply?
To apply, visit the HGIA website at http://gems.hawaii.gov and complete the online application or download a printable application packet.
