Recent News
Fluorescent Tube Bans and the Effect on Lighting Rebates
8 states have passed laws to ban the sale of traditional fluorescent tubes. See which states and how it will impact lighting rebates in those areas.
EV Charger Rebate Trends for 2024
Rebates and incentives are essential in the EV charger market because they typically cover a large portion of the installation cost of EVSE. But these programs are much more complex than their energy efficiency counterparts. We've been monitoring these programs since 2021 and have noticed quite a few differences for this year.
The 4 main trends for the year are:
- EV Charger Rebate Coverage: a 25% Increase from Last Year
- Growing Opportunities: Higher Dollar Amounts and More Program Options
- Dynamic Fluctuations: More Changes Than Ever
- Navigating Requirements: Approved Product Lists and New Standards
- NEVI-Funded Initiatives Propel DCFC Charging Expansion
Commercial Lighting Rebate Trends for 2024
The past couple of months have seen a flurry of activity as organizations updated their rebate programs for 2024. Now, the dust has settled, and most of the new programs have launched, and it's very favorable for those in the lighting industry.
The 4 main trends for the year are:
-Most of the US Has a Commercial Lighting Rebate Program Available
-Rebate Amounts for LEDs Are Still Strong
-Program Funding Stretches Further
-Networked Lighting Control Rebates Get a Bit Stronger
The Hassle of Approved Product Lists for EV Charger Rebates
Dive into the complexities of EV charger rebates as we explore the importance of incentives in the electric vehicle (EV) landscape. Uncover the challenges posed by Approved Product Lists (APLs) in securing rebates, affecting manufacturers, distributors, and installation seekers alike. Discover why APLs, though a minority, continue to be a hurdle in the path to a seamless EV charging future.
How Is the Shift to Tesla’s NACS Connector Affecting EV Charger Rebates?
Major auto manufacturers have announced their transition from the CCS 1 connector to Tesla's North American Charging Standard (NACS) connector. Explore how this shift will impact electric vehicle charger rebate programs.
Why Relying on ChatGPT AI for Identifying Rebates is Risky for Your Business
ChatGPT and AI have been all over the news recently, but are they helpful in identifying possible rebates? Hallucations and dated information make it a risky tool for your business. See the dangers of using AI for identifying rebates and which solutions might be better.
The Impact of July's EISA Deadline on Lighting Rebates
The Energy Independence and Security Act (EISA) will soon take effect, driving energy efficiency, reducing greenhouse gas emissions, and promoting sustainable lighting options. Find out how these regulations will impact commercial lighting rebates and learn about the adjustments being made by rebate programs.
EV Charger Rebates: Understanding the Different Types of Programs
Interest in electric vehicle supply equipment (EVSE) has skyrocketed over the past couple of years, and many in the electrical industry have embraced this rapidly growing segment. Rebates and incentives are integral to the EV chargers' sales process. However, navigating through the nearly 500 active rebate programs in North America can be challenging for contractors, distributors, and manufacturers.
Understanding the different types of rebates and how they work can help improve the utilization of these programs. Take a look at the 5 main types of rebate programs for EV chargers.
EV Charger Rebates Trends for 2023
2022 saw a flurry of rebate activity for EV chargers, with new programs debuting, existing programs adapting to the changing landscape, and funding levels fluctuating. Now that many of the 2023 rebate programs are in place, it's time to review the rebate and incentive landscape for EV chargers in 2023. We saw 5 main changes:
- Most of the US is Covered by an EV Charger Rebate
- 22% Growth in EV Charger Rebate Programs
- Minor Changes in EV Charger Rebate Amounts
- Approved Lists Gain Popularity
- Changes in the Federal Tax Credit
Commercial Lighting Rebate Trends for 2023
We took a look at the 2023 commercial lighting rebate programs and they're looking as strong as ever. We look at the 4 main trends for the year.
-Over 3/4 of the US Has a Commercial Lighting Rebate Program
-A Big Change for Screw-in / General Service Lampsr
-Rebate Amounts Stay Relatively Flat Across All Other Categories
-Programs Are Getting Harder to Use
5 States With the Most Interest in EV Charger Rebates
Electric vehicles (EVs) have taken off across the entire US in 2022, with public interest at an all-time high. With this demand comes an increased interest in available rebates and incentives for installing charging stations for these EVs. Using anonymized data from the nearly 100,000 requests we have processed so far this year, we were able to determine the areas with the most inquiries. The data shows that the top 5 states where customers were interested in EV charger rebates were CA, FL, NY, IL, and TX.
Record Number of Bonus Rebate Programs for Lighting
Most rebate programs have participation and energy reduction targets they strive to achieve each year. Occasionally, when they're having problems meeting these goals, they implement bonus programs. These programs typically offer increased incentives for the existing rebate measures for a set period of time. The value of the bonus will vary depending on the utility. Sometimes, it's an extra 10% or 20%; other times, it can more than double the original rebate.
Currently, 77% of the US is covered by a commercial lighting rebate. Of that, almost 22% is offering an additional or bonus opportunity.
Federal Tax Credit for EV Chargers Renewed
The recently passed Inflation Reduction Act extended the 30C Tax Credit for installing EV chargers. Businesses and homeowners can take advantage of a credit of up to 30% of the cost. The legislation extends this credit through 2032, although it changes a few key guidelines.
EV Chargers and Rebates (Infographic)
Rebates and incentives play a crucial role in helping businesses and homeowners install EV charging stations. This infographic is a snapshot of the current rebate landscape for EV chargers. It's constantly evolving, but one thing is clear: the opportunity is huge.
How Rebate Programs Are Addressing the DLC v5.1 Changeover
A significant change is on the horizon that can significantly impact rebates and incentives for commercial lighting projects. At the end of this month, the Design Lights Consortium (DLC) will be transitioning its solid-state technical requirements from v5.0 to v5.1. This transition means a significant number of products will be delisted from the active DLC list on June 30th. With most rebate programs requiring a DLC listing to get an incentive, this changeover can have major implications for projects underway.
5 Misconceptions About Lighting Rebates
Lighting rebates have been around since the 80s, yet many people still have some long-held, misplaced beliefs about these incentives. Here we'll shed some light on some of the more common misconceptions.
Where Can You Find EV Charger Rebates?
While many people know rebates exist for installing EV chargers (or EVSE), not everyone knows where to look to find them. 57% of the US has a rebate or incentive available but they come from a variety of sources. We break down the 5 main sources of EV charger rebates that you can take advantage of and how to find them.
Commercial Lighting Rebate Trends for 2022
Over the past few months, rebate organizations across the country have been busy updating their programs for 2022. This year we saw 4 distinct trends.
-77% of the US Offers A Commercial Lighting Rebate
-LED Rebate Amounts Are Flat for a Second Year
-Number of Horticulture Rebates Nearly Triples While Amounts Decrease
-Networked Lighting Control Rebates Continue To Grow
All About EV Charger (EVSE) Rebates
With electric vehicle sales projected to grow dramatically in the next few years, the charging infrastructure in the US has to advance quickly. For commercial EV charger installations, 51% of the US currently has a rebate or incentive available, on top of the Federal Tax Credit that is available.
Horticulture Lighting and Rebates
Horticulture lighting is a growing segment with huge savings potential. Because of that, the number of rebate programs for horticulture lighting has tripled since 2020. Learn more about horticulture lighting rebates and how they can help your project.
History of LED Rebates and What's Next
LED lighting is seemingly everywhere now, from schools and offices to parking lots and transportation centers. It's hard to believe that it was a fledgling technology with very little market penetration not too long ago.
A big factor in getting LEDs to gain traction so quickly was the availability of rebates to help offset the high initial prices. While rebates for commercial lighting have been around since the 1980s, rebates for LEDs specifically didn't see widespread acceptance until 2011. Now, ten years in, we can take an in-depth look at LED rebates and the marketplace.
See how LED rebates have evolved over the years and what's next.
Which Lighting Products Get The Highest Rebates?
As LED lighting continues to penetrate the market, people assume rebates for these products must be dwindling. In reality, commercial lighting rebates continue to be strong as ever. While rebates for some upgrades, like screw-in A19's and PARs, have decreased over the years, some product categories can still receive very significant incentives. Looking through all the programs across North America, we've determined the 4 lighting products with the highest average rebate amounts.
Do Field-Adjustable LED Fixtures Qualify for Rebates?
Over the past couple of years, LED manufacturers have introduced field-adjustable LED fixtures into the market. With the growth of this category of LED products, we looked into how rebate programs treat them.
Rebate Trends for 2021
Over the past few months, rebate organizations across the country have been busy updating their programs for 2021. This year we saw 4 distinct trends.
-74% of the US Offers A Commercial Lighting Rebate
-Rebate Amounts for LEDs Stay Flat ... And That's Remarkable
-Be Aware of Changes in DLC
-Longer Pre-approval and Check Processing Times
How Will the New DLC 5.0 Standard Affect Rebates?
In February, the DLC finalized the technical specifications for the next generation of LED products. These new requirements, versions 5.0 and 5.1, are designed to help usher in new levels of energy efficiency, light quality, and controllability. The DLC started certifying products under the new v5 spec earlier this year, and they will remove older products that don't meet this certification at the end of 2020. This change can have a significant impact on the potential rebates a project may receive.
LED Rebates By The Numbers (Infographic)
LED rebates significantly cut the cost of installing LED lighting in commercial facilities. Using our RebatePro Tool, we took an in-depth look at the rebate opportunities currently available in the US and Canada. Learn more about program funding levels, the timing of the programs, and average rebate amounts for popular LED products.
Lots of Rebate Programs Are Now Offering a Bonus
Most rebate programs have participation and energy reduction targets they strive to achieve each year. Occasionally, when they're having problems meeting these goals, they implement bonus programs. These programs typically offer increased incentives for the existing rebate measures for a set period of time. The value of the bonus will vary depending on the utility. Sometimes, it's an extra 10% or 20%; other times, it can more than double the original rebate.
Currently, 75% of the US is covered by a commercial lighting rebate. Of that, almost 20% is offering an additional or bonus opportunity.
How Rebate Programs Are Responding to COVID-19
We're in an unprecedented time in our lives with the spread of the coronavirus changing how we work, do business, and go about our daily lives. As we all struggle to deal with the implications of the past few weeks, we wanted to provide insight into how the rebate programs are being affected by the pandemic.
-Most programs are still taking applications and issuing checks
-Inspection requirements changed in many programs
-Program deadlines still in effect
-Don't forget about your projects
Rebate Trends for 2020
Over the past few months, rebate organizations across the country have been busy updating their programs for 2020. We've noticed the following trends for this year:
-LED Rebate Amounts Decrease by 12%
-76% of the US Offers Commercial Lighting Rebates
-Anticipating the Change to DLC 5.0
-Rebate Pre-approval Times Are Improving
How Cost Caps Can Affect Your Rebate
Many people are disappointed when they see a high advertised rebate amount to only later get a much smaller rebate than expected. This discrepancy can happen because of cost caps. In the fine print on most rebate applications in North America, there is a cap of how much of the cost they will cover. Learn how cost caps can affect how much of a rebate you'll ultimately receive.
Introducing Rebate Assistant - a virtual assistant for rebates
Using advanced technology, BriteSwitch's Rebate Assistant can help your customers find rebates for your products faster and easier than ever.
Where Are the Best Areas for Lighting Rebates?
The number one question we get is, “Where are the best lighting rebates in the country?” This question makes sense. Customers with multiple locations, nationwide distributors and contractors all want to focus on those regions with the highest rebates. Unfortunately, it’s not an easy question to answer because rebates can vary so much. While there’s no clear-cut answer, we can provide some guidance.
5 States With the Most Interest in Rebates
In the past, we’ve investigated where the best areas for lighting rebates are, but now we’ll explore where there is the most customer interest for rebate information. Our RebatePro and RebateDirect tools are used on a variety of manufacturer and distributor websites to help customers find and estimate rebates. Using anonymized data from the thousands of requests we processed in the last year, we can see that the top 5 states where customers were looking for rebates were CA, PA, TX, NY and IL.
Networked Lighting Controls & Rebates
Since the addition of a networked lighting controls category to the Design Lighting Consortium (DLC) list in 2016, it has been a buzzword in what’s next in lighting. Over the past couple of years, rebate programs have been trying to decide how to incorporate Network Lighting Controls into their offerings. It has proven difficult since these projects are usually complex and hard to establish a deemed energy savings for each project.
Rebate Trends for 2019
Over the past few months, rebate organizations across the country have been busy updating their programs for 2019. We've noticed the following trends for this year:
-Higher Rebates for LED Fixtures, Lower Rebates for Replacement Lamps
-Networked Lighting Control Rebates Are More Standardized
-73% of the US Offers Lighting Rebates
-Midstream Programs Still In The Minority
Lighting Rebates: The Past 10 Years And What’s Next
Lighting rebates are a way for electric utilities to reduce electric demand and increase energy efficiency across North America. More generally known as demand side management programs, they have been around for the past 40 years but have really gained more traction over the past 10 - 15 years.
Here, we take a look at the past 10 years in lighting rebates and make predictions on where they will go in the future.
Rebates For Traditional Lighting Are Disappearing
Traditional lighting technologies like pulse start metal halide, T5HO and induction used to receive hefty rebates. At the time, these solutions offered significant energy savings to customers and their rebates could range from $30 to $150 per fixture. Rebate programs have started to move away from these traditional technologies as LEDs prove more energy efficient.
While the dollar amounts of the rebates for these products have stayed relatively consistent, the number of available rebate programs has dropped by 30% in the last year alone.
8’ DLC Tube Category Brings New Rebate Options
While 4’ fixtures represent a large portion of the commercial market, many people don’t realize there are many 8' fixtures out there. In industrial, education and retail applications, 8’ fixtures are fairly common with some of them still being T12. That means they present a huge opportunity for energy savings.
Originally there were few 8' LED tubes on the market, so most customers would have to use a retrofit kit to convert the 8’ fixture to use 4' tubes instead. Eventually 8' LED tubes entered the market, but without a DLC category there were few rebates available. Since the addition of the 8' DLC tube category, there are now more than 5 times the number of utilities with rebates available for 8' tubes and almost double that for 4' tubes and retrofit kits.
Outsourcing Rebate Processing
Most people know that rebates are a very powerful tool to increase sales. What many people don't know is how to effectively handle the rebate process once a job is won. The rebate process takes 5 - 6 months on average and involves countless interactions with rebate program staff, end users, inspectors, etc. It's a cumbersome and daunting process for many companies to undertake on their own. Learn why many people choose to outsource rebate processing.
Rebate Trends for 2018
Over the past few months, rebate organizations across the country have been busy updating their programs for 2018. We've noticed the following trends for this year:
-LED Rebate Amounts Start to Level Out
-Rebates For DLC Standard vs Premium
-Control Rebates Are Still Strong As Ever
-What’s Next? Biax / PL-L Lamps & 8’ tubes
Make Lighting Projects Pay For Themselves Even Faster
Upgrading to LED lighting will save you a significant amount on your electric bill. These energy savings basically pay for the cost of the project over time. The point where you break even is called the payback time. For example, if the payback of a project is 2 years, it means the project basically pays for itself within 2 years and after that all the savings in energy are yours.
Using Rebates To Increase Sales
There’s no doubt that rebates can be a strong tool to help close sales. With over 79% of the US currently covered by an active commercial lighting rebate, it's a tool that every contractor, distributor and manufacturer should be using. There are 5 ways that you can utilize rebates to increase your sales and margin.
How is DLC 4.2 Affecting Rebates?
Earlier this year, Design Lights Consortium (or “DLC”) implemented a new version of their LED specifications. They were meant to further advance LED technology in the marketplace and, for most LED products, it required improved efficacy (increased lumens per watt). On April 1st, products that did not meet this specification were removed from the DLC list. While this specification change was announced 6 months before, it still caused a lot of confusion in the marketplace. For manufacturers, meeting these new requirements was not easy, often requiring a significant redesign to their products in order to achieve the higher targets. It’s been reported that almost 40% of the products were removed from the DLC list during this transition.
Rebate Trends for 2017
Over the past few months, rebate organizations across the country have been busy updating their 2017 programs. After reviewing many of these changes, we've noticed the following trends for this year:
-Rebate Coverage in US Hits Record High
-Ten-Fold Increase for Screw-in HID Rebates
-TLED and Screw-in LED Bulbs Rebates Continue to Drop
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