Energy Trust will release an updated Lighting Tool and open its standard (downstream) business lighting track for new project applications on January 16, 2025. The relaunch will include updated incentives and budget tracking processes to help manage available funding while providing clear and timely updates to trade allies and customers.

Energy Trust will have a limited budget for new downstream lighting projects in 2025, due in part to the large number of applications submitted in 2024 for completion in 2025. We are committed to serving as many customers as possible within the available budget. We also recognize that stable and consistent incentives are essential to your business. To that end, we are also committed to informing trade allies of budget levels and program changes as far in advance as possible.

Below is a preview of incentive and process changes to expect in 2025. This preview is part of our effort to show the path ahead as clearly as possible and avoid surprises that might make it difficult for you to effectively participate.

The details

• In 2025, the downstream incentive budget will be segmented by utility and subsector. This will allow a broader array of businesses to access incentives.
• The updated Lighting Tool will reflect reduced incentive amounts and a lower per project incentive cap of $250,000/project.
• Project submissions will be reviewed on a first-come-first-served basis, by budget subsector, subject to funding availability within each subsector. Subsectors will close for new 2025 projects as their allocated funding becomes fully subscribed.

• Energy Trust will only review complete project submissions. Submissions must include a completed lighting tool and all supporting documentation to be considered. Incomplete submissions must be corrected before they will be reviewed and considered for an incentive offer.
• Oregon legislation (HB 2531) prohibits the sale of most fluorescent lighting effective January 1, 2025. To comply with HB 2531 and OPUC directives, Energy Trust will only accept new 2025 project submissions through June 30, 2025. All projects receiving a signed 120L between January 16 and June 30, 2025, must be completed by December 1, 2025.
• In July 2025, Energy Trust will relaunch its downstream business lighting offers with a new Lighting Tool and incentives for 2026 projects. Starting in July 2025, all lighting measures will fully comply with HB 2531 requirements, meaning most LED upgrades will be considered baseline equipment, and therefore ineligible for incentives.
• Starting in 2026, Energy Trust will begin operating under a multi-year plan and budget, which will be developed in 2025. Until the multi-year budget is approved, we will manage 2026 incentive offers commensurate with the 2025 downstream budget. We’ll share updates on the budget for 2026 and beyond as information becomes available in late 2025.

Energy Trust will continue supporting commercial and industrial lighting customers with instant discounts (i.e., midstream incentives) as well as the small business direct install offer.  Information about these offers can be found on our Business Lighting Instant Discounts page and No-Cost Small Business Lighting page.

Energy Trust will hold a 2025 business lighting relaunch webinar for trade allies on January 15, 2025, from 8 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. to provide full details about 2025 incentives, budget processes, project submission requirements and deadlines. Trade allies should register in advance online.

Thank you to all our trade ally partners for your efforts to assist customers in 2024 and your patience as we developed our offers for 2025. Our goal is to provide incentives and services that are valuable to you and your customers while managing to a limited budget. We appreciate your understanding and partnership as we move forward into a new year.

Program Contact Information

If you have questions about any of this information, please email the business lighting team at lighting@energytrust.org or call 1.800.326.2917 to speak with a business lighting representative. To deliver business lighting documents, email lightingdocuments@energytrust.org.