Business Lighting Program Overview...
This rebate program is being offered to commercial, industrial and agricultural cooperative business members. Only members with greater than 10 bulbs or fixtures at their facility will qualify. The rebate amount will be determined prior to installation and calculated based on an audit of existing and replacement lighting. Total rebate amount is limited to $30,000 per member per year and in no case will exceed 40% of the total equipment cost. The focus of the program is to save the member money by using less energy to light their facility. When assessing the opportunities for improvement presented by an existing lighting system, the first step is to measure how effectively the existing light levels and characteristics serve their function. Many opportunities exist for cost-effective retrofits to an existing lighting system and it is possible to simultaneously increase lighting levels and use less energy if the most efficient technology and practices are used.
Eligible bulbs and fixtures: Fluorescent T-5 and T-8 lighting systems with electronic ballasts; LED lights and fixtures; 2-piece compact fluorescent light bulbs and fixtures; and LED (light emitting diode) exit signs. *Plus other technologies listed in the lighting rebate tables, available from your electric cooperative.
How do I participate? The first step on the road to implementing new energy-efficient lighting in your facility is to contact your local cooperative. They will determine your eligibility and provide the application, lighting tables and all other needed information to begin your lighting retrofit project. You will want to be sure you have a trusted lighting vendor to help you with new lighting recommendations and a knowledgeable employee from the facility to assist with your initial walk-through lighting audit. Follow these nine steps to calculate a rebate of up to 40% of the total lighting equipment costs.
Step 1: Member must contact the cooperative to discuss the program guidelines, receive the lighting application and tables and receive verification that the member qualifies for the program.
Step 2: An initial walk-through of the facility needs to be conducted by the member (preferably by the owner, maintenance person or any other employee responsible for lighting in the facility) and a lighting vendor or cooperative staff member if needed and available. This is done to determine existing lighting in the facility. The information collected should then be recorded on the lighting application, in the “old system” columns.
Step 3: Member contacts a lighting vendor for recommendations on new lighting. The member and vendor then complete the application with new lighting recommendations.
Step 4: Member must return the application and quote (from lighting vendor) for proposed new lighting equipment to the cooperative for approval prior to installing new lighting.
Step 5: Cooperative staff must verify:
~ Proposed new lighting is eligible for a rebate by using the new lighting tables
~ New system calculations on application are correct
~ Rebate amounts are correct and do not exceed 40% of total equipment cost
Step 6: Cooperative staff and member both sign Page 3 of the application, agreeing to proposed new lighting equipment and rebate amount. Cooperative staff should keep original application and give member a copy listing approved lighting equipment and rebate amount. Member may now install the new equipment agreed upon with cooperative.
Step 7: After lighting has been installed, member must submit fully-completed application, specification sheets and all receipts to the cooperative for rebate.
Step 8: Cooperative will perform a walk-through of the facility to verify installation. Cooperative representative will then sign the bottom of Page 1 on the application form verifying the new lighting installation.
Step 9: Member will receive the agreed upon rebate amount in a time frame set by the cooperative.