The rebate available to homeowners for installing solar water heaters has been cut to $750 from $1,000 because high demand is depleting the amount in the ratepayer-funded program, officials said today.

Lowering the rebate will allow officials to able to extend the life of the program and reach more homeowners, said Ray Starling, manager for Hawaii Energy, the energy conservation program administered by Science Applications International Corp.
The $750 rebate applies to qualifying hot water systems installed by solar contractors that participate in the Hawaii Energy solar program.
Hawaii Energy, formerly operated by Hawaiian Electric Co., is now administered by SAIC under contract with the  state Public Utilities Commission.