To stay current on lighting trends and provide cost-effective incentives, there were significant adjustments to the Energy Trust Lighting Tool and commercial and industrial lighting incentives, which become effective on March 1, 2017.
Trade allies and other frequent participants of the Energy Trust commercial lighting program will notice a significant change in the look of the new 190L Program Information form. To make it easier for program participants to select a prescriptive incentive and ensure that the appropriate corresponding drop downs are selected in the Lighting Tool, copies of the drop down selections have been added to the 190L. Additionally, several measures were combined and some complex adders were eliminated in an effort to simplify the 190L. These changes make the Lighting Tool easier to use and will increase accuracy on projects submitted. The 2017 Lighting Tool is expected to be released in late February.
The continued focus on the use of controls with LED lighting systems is reflected in both the enhanced controls and LED technology incentives combined with a new lighting control system. It is important to note that since most LED fixtures and retrofit kits are available with a dimming option or come with dimming as standard, controls can provide options beyond simple on/off. With factory installed controls integrated into many new fixtures or kits, coupled with the ease of adding wireless controls to existing spaces, integrating controls into any project is easier now than it has ever been. Read below for a summary of significant changes to the incentives. To view the updated 190L Program Information form, click here.
Highlights for technologies with significant incentive changes effective March 1, 2017:
| Technology | Discontinued | Modified | New |
|---|---|---|---|
| TLED types A, B, and C installed with new ballast, driver, or line voltage. (TLED retrofit) | TLEDs are no longer eligible for custom incentives, unless used specifically for a qualifying custom plant growth lighting project. Delamping incentive discontinued. | T12, T8, and T5 existing lamp technologies are combined and now receive the same TLED incentive. Incentives reduced in line with market cost changes. | All common TLED sizes from 1’ through 8’ have been added to the prescriptive incentive list. T5 diameter TLED sizes are also included. May replace any existing technology. 40% minimum fixture wattage savings required. |
| TLED type A installed on existing ballast. (TLED relamp) | TLEDs are no longer eligible for custom incentives, unless used specifically for a qualifying custom plant growth lighting project. 1’ – - 2’ TLED relamp is not cost effective and is not eligible for incentives. | T8 and T5 existing lamp technologies are combined and now receive the same TLED incentive. Incentives reduced in line with market cost changes. | All common TLED sizes from 3’ through 8’ have been added to the prescriptive incentive list. T5 diameter TLED sizes are also included. 40% minimum fixture wattage savings required. |
| LED new interior fixture or kit | T12 and T8 existing combined to one incentive level. 2-lamp to DLC Premium is now custom. | LED fixtures replacing 2-lamp existing must be 24 watts or less. LED replacing 3 - 4 lamps must have 50% minimum wattage savings. | |
| LED downlight kits | Incentive reduced in line with market costs. | ||
| LED screw-in lamps replacing incandescent. | Incentive reduced in line with market costs. | ||
| Pin-base CFL to LED | LED operating on existing ballast incentive combined with LED operating without existing ballast. | 40% minimum wattage savings per lamp. | |
| Exterior LED area luminaires | Incentive reduced in line with market costs. | ||
| HID to LED screw-in retrofit | No longer eligible for custom incentives. | Incentives now based on existing HID lamp wattage. | 50% minimum wattage savings required. |
| LED refrigerated case lighting | Low power and high power luminaires defined. | T8 existing is again eligible for incentives. |
The commercial and industrial lighting team is here to help you through the incentive process and upcoming incentive changes. Please feel free to contact one of our lighting specialists or Aaron Leatherwood, program manager, at 503.724.9375, with any questions.