Mid-2024 Lighting Controls Rebate Update

Lighting controls, especially Networked Lighting Controls(NLC), have been getting a lot of attention from utility rebate programs. In this update, we want to provide a snapshot of changes occurring in these programs. We typically provide a little information about NLCs in our annual report and webinar, but we have initiated a deeper analysis of these programs that we are kicking off with this article. 

We are reviewing changes in Basic controls(standalone/add-on/remote occupancy sensors, daylight sensors) as well as the NLCs. The focus is on rebate programs that have made changes to their rebates from mid-March 2023 to July 31, 2024. All rebates covered here are of the downstream/prescriptive variety.

We will be creating a special separate focused article on integral controls, that would include LLLCs(Luminaire-Level Lighting Controls).  The integrals controls are sometime included in Basic and NLC rebates, but often are unique rebates that deserve separate coverage. 

NLCs are generally seeing increases in the rebates utilities offer for them. The NLCs will sometimes have a Design Lights Consortium(DLC) listing requirement and may also have a minimum number of control strategies implemented to qualify for the incentives.

Networked Lighting Controls

• Mass Save - Increase in per fixture controlled
• NYSEG - Increase per sensor controlled
• Rhode Island Energy - Increase per fixture controlled
• EfficiencyWorks(CO) - Increase per sensor controlled
• PacificPower(WA) - Increase per unit
• BGE/Pepco/Delmarva Power - Increase per fixture controlled
• Atlantic City Electric - Increase per fixture controlled
• Orange & Rockland(NY) - Increase per fixture controlled
• SWEPCO(TX) - Increase per sensor controlled
• Rocky Mountain Power(WY) - Increase per sensor controlled
• ComEd - Decrease per sensor controlled

Basic Controls are similarly seeing mostly increases in their utility rebates. Occupancy sensors have traditionally seen broader coverage, but Daylight sensor are increasing covered in programs.  

Basic Controls - Occupancy and Daylight

• Indiana Michigan Power(IN) - Increase in Daylight controls
• Entergy New Orleans - Increase in Occ/Day controls
• Duke Carolinas - Increase in Occupancy Controls
• Xcel Colorado - Increase in Occupancy Controls
• BGE/Pepco/Delmarva Power - Increase in Occ/Day controls
• NIPSCO - Increase in Daylight controls
• Illinois Municipal Electric Agency - Increase in Occupancy controls
• Focus On Energy(WI) - Increase in Occ/Day controls
• Mass Save - Increase in Occ/Day controls
• NYSEG - Increase in Occ/Day controls
• Los Angeles Department of Water and Power - Increase in Occ/Day controls
• Delaware Energy Efficiency Fund - Increase in Occupany controls
• Eversource NH - Decrease in Occ/Day controls
• JCP&L - Decrease in Occupancy controls
• PSEG Long Island - Decrease in Daylight controls
• Salt River Project(AZ) - Decrease in Occupancy Controls

Basic Controls are starting to make their way in to the midstream/instant programs.  NLCs are not there yet. NLCs are a challenge for midstream programs since the energy saving can vary greatly by square footage, industry and other building characteristics.  

We will review these rebates again in March of 2025 and provide more detail about coverage and trends.