To: Kauai Island Utility Cooperative, Chairman, Board of Directors, KIUC
Affordable Solar for Kauai Residents through Green Energy Market Securitization
This petition asks KIUC to participate in the State of Hawaii's GEMS Program, which helps renters, low income households, non-profits and credit-challenged utility customers to easily finance solar water heaters and photovoltaic systems through utility bill financing. KIUC is the only utility in the State currently not participating in the GEMS program.
Why is this important?
Kauai has the third highest electricity prices in the nation behind Lanai and Molokai. Many utility customers are working-class folks who have to work 2 or sometimes 3 jobs to make ends meet. Many would benefit from reducing their expensive utility bills by installing a solar water heater or PV system, but most simply can't afford the cost outlay. Many have bad credit, so can't borrow the installation costs from a bank. Non-profits have the challenge of raising substantial capital to install solar systems and also cannot claim the generous federal and state tax credits.
The GEMS program changes the game, helping all these people. With the GEMS program, the utility lends the money to the rate payer directly with the loan payments incorporated into their utility bill. And the best part is that the loan doesn't follow the customer -- it follows the system. So if a renter moves out of a house, the new renter takes over the payments until the solar system is paid for.
According to their website (gems.hawaii.gov) GEMS has the ability to finance the installation of over 44 MWs of energy across the state.
Join me in signing this petition to ask KIUC to participate in the GEMS program.
The GEMS program changes the game, helping all these people. With the GEMS program, the utility lends the money to the rate payer directly with the loan payments incorporated into their utility bill. And the best part is that the loan doesn't follow the customer -- it follows the system. So if a renter moves out of a house, the new renter takes over the payments until the solar system is paid for.
According to their website (gems.hawaii.gov) GEMS has the ability to finance the installation of over 44 MWs of energy across the state.
Join me in signing this petition to ask KIUC to participate in the GEMS program.