Grant program to help go solar

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radiopeg
Posts: 88
Joined: Sun Nov 07, 2010 4:35 pm

Grant program to help go solar

Post by radiopeg »

I got this off the BISS website today. Something to check out. And a link to up to 300% of the poverty level. It is in PDF format.
www.coverageforall.org/pdf/FHCE_FedPovertyLevel.pdf


Grant to pay for solar installation
Saturday, December 3 1:44 pm
By PETER SUR
Tribune-Herald staff writer
The Hawaii County Economic Opportunity Council is receiving $1.2 million to help install 100 solar water heaters and photovoltaic systems, and give energy conservation education to low-income families on the Big Island.
Hawaii's congressional delegation announced the grant Thursday in a joint statement. The money comes through a Rural Development Grant from the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
"It's a very complicated grant," said HCEOC Human Resource Officer Bettie Wagstaff.
Eligible households are those who live in one of 14 specific Census Designated Places. The eligible CDPs, according to the 2000 Census, must have a population of less than 2,500 residents and a medan income of 69 percent of the state median.
Therefore, eligibility is limited to those who live in one of these CDPs: Ocean View, Pahoa, Fern Acres, Eden Roc, Fern Forest, Orchidland, Pepeekeo, Kurtistown, Laupahoehoe, Hawaiian Acres, Honokaa, Leilani Estates, Naalehu and Paauilo.
To qualify, households must provide to the HCEOC proof of income, the most recent utility bill, a homeowner's release, an agreement to do a home energy audit and attendance in an energy efficiency class. This will be done with HCEOC focus groups in early 2012, Wagstaff said.
The grant pays for solar water heaters, which will be given out free, or small-scale photovoltaic systems, which are enough to power lights and refrigerators. Priority will be given to off-grid homes, Wagstaff said.
Households with income less than 150 percent of federal poverty guidelines will be given the photovoltaic systems for free. Those with incomes of 151 to 200 percent of the level will pay 20 percent of the cost, and those with incomes 201 to 300 percent of the level will have to pay a 30 percent cost share.
The program is not expected to begin until early 2012, Wagstaff said, because the nonprofit is still awaiting the contract.
The program "assists rural residents and businesses in Hawaii to upgrade energy infrastructure and make other energy efficiency improvements," said Chris Kanazawa, USDA Rural Development Hawaii state director said in a statement. "These grants are another example of how USDA Rural Development in Hawaii works to help local rural communities overcome economic obstacles and create opportunity."
Rural Development funds will be used by this project to decrease the energy consumption of low-income residents and increase their economic self-sufficiency by reducing the proportion of their total income allocated to this need.
Eligible households may contact Wagstaff at 961-2681, ext. 300.
Email Peter Sur at psur@hawaiitribune-herald.com.
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