When you're quoting a commercial lighting project, the last thing you want is a surprise when it's time to collect the rebate. With the DesignLights Consortium (DLC) transitioning to its new SSL V6.0 requirements, it's worth taking a closer look at the products you're specifying, especially for projects extending into 2027.
On December 15, 2026, the DLC will remove products that have not transitioned to its new SSL V6.0 technical requirements. This is the first major transition since 2022, when products that hadn't met the V5.1 requirements were removed from the qualified list.
With approximately 65% of commercial lighting rebate offerings requiring DLC-qualified products, the transition could have major implications for contractors, distributors, and manufacturers across the industry.
What Is Changing With DLC V6.0?
The DLC is a nonprofit organization that establishes performance standards for commercial LED lighting products. Its Qualified Products List (QPL) helps utilities and rebate programs identify products that meet specific standards for energy efficiency, quality of light, and performance.
The DLC finalized its new SSL V6.0 requirements on November 3, 2025. The previous V5.1 requirements took effect in July 2020, although products qualified under V5.0 remained on the DLC list until June 2022.
The new requirements focus on improving energy efficiency, lighting quality, and controllability. Some of the most significant changes include:
- ● Higher efficiency requirements: Minimum efficacy thresholds have increased by a weighted average of 14% for DLC Standard products and 12% for DLC Premium products.
- ● New DLC Premium requirements: Premium qualification now places a greater emphasis on controllability, including the ability to integrate lighting controls and advanced lighting systems.
- ● Additional product information: New reporting requirements provide more details about lighting controls, adjustable features, and product specifications.
The DLC also updated its LUNA requirements for outdoor lighting. LUNA V2.0 focuses on improving outdoor lighting performance while reducing light pollution.
Hundreds of Thousands of Products Still Listed Under V5.1
The DLC finalized its updated requirements in November 2025 after multiple rounds of industry feedback, giving manufacturers more than a year to prepare for the December 2026 deadline. Manufacturers have been able to submit products for V6.0 qualification since January 2026.
As a result, 161,621 products were already qualified under V6.0 as of 9 AM ET on October 12, 2026. More importantly, however, 248,859 products were still listed under DLC SSL V5.1.
The deadline for manufacturers to submit applications to transition existing products was October 9. Manufacturers can still submit applications after that date, but they'll be reviewed as new product applications.
On December 15, products that have not completed the transition to V6.0 will be delisted. That doesn't mean all 248,859 products currently listed under V5.1 will disappear in December. Many may already be in the process of transitioning to the new requirements, but some products will lose their active DLC listing.
What Does This Mean for Commercial Lighting Rebates?
For commercial lighting projects, rebate programs often check DLC qualification first to determine whether a product is eligible for an incentive. Rebate programs use this qualification to help ensure that products receiving incentives meet established standards for efficiency and performance.
With so many commercial lighting rebate offerings requiring DLC-qualified products, a product that loses its DLC listing could also lose rebate eligibility.
Individual utilities and rebate programs set their own equipment requirements, and each may handle the DLC transition differently. Some are moving to V6.0 requirements at the beginning of 2027, while others will allow older products to remain eligible for a period. The actual deadlines and requirements will depend on the individual rebate program.
How Are Rebate Programs Handling the Transition?
We've already seen several different approaches from rebate programs across the country. Here are some examples of how programs are handling the transition to DLC V6.0:
Focus on Energy (WI): V6.0 required in 2027, with transition exceptions Starting January 1, 2027, products must meet DLC V6.0 requirements. V5.0 and V5.1 products installed in 2026 must have rebate applications submitted by January 31, 2027. Products purchased in 2026 but installed in 2027 can still qualify if you submit applications within 60 days of installation, no later than June 30, 2027.
ComEd Energy Efficiency Program (IL): V6.0 required starting January 1, 2027 Starting January 1, 2027, products must meet DLC V6.0 requirements to qualify for rebates.
Avista (ID and WA): Up to a 120-day grace period after delisting The program allows products to remain eligible for incentives for up to 120 days after they're delisted from the DLC or ENERGY STAR qualified product lists.
FirstEnergy (MD and PA): Current and immediately preceding DLC versions accepted The programs accept products qualified under the current DLC version or the immediately preceding version.
These examples show why it's important to check each rebate program's requirements. Even though the DLC is setting a December 15 delisting deadline, the actual impact on rebates will depend on the project's location and when the equipment is installed.
What Do You Need to Do?
The transition shouldn't create major problems for commercial lighting projects, but it may require doing extra homework when planning projects over the next few months.
Start by checking the DLC qualification status of the products you're using. A simple logo on a spec sheet isn’t enough; the programs will require that the specific model you’re using is shown on the DLC list online. The Qualified Products List allows you to search for specific products and see which technical requirements they meet. Make sure you're checking the exact model number being installed.
If a product is already qualified under V6.0, you’re all set.
If you're using a product that is still listed under V5.1, contact the rebate program before moving forward. This is especially important for projects that may not be completed until after December 15.
For example, if you're quoting a warehouse lighting retrofit in October, but the installation won't be completed until January. The products you're specifying might be DLC-qualified today, but what happens if they're no longer listed when you submit the final rebate paperwork?
Will the program accept the previous V5.1 qualification? Does the product need to be actively listed under V6.0? Will an earlier preapproval protect the project's eligibility?
These are questions worth asking before committing to equipment purchases or promising a specific rebate amount to a customer. It's also a good idea to get clarification from the rebate program in writing so you have documentation if questions arise later.
A quick check of the DLC listing and the rebate program's requirements now could help prevent problems when it's time to submit the final paperwork.
Check Rebate Requirements For Your Next Lighting Project
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