Energy Efficiency

In our last issue, we talked about why “Where are the best rebates?” is a tricky question. And, because it raises far more questions than it answers, we offered suggestions on how to begin the process of assessing the value of your Company’s energy efficiency projects.

As rebates and incentive programs continue to grow, we are seeing new developments in companies’ energy efficiency efforts. Some organizations are adding resources to manage and further develop their programs. Others are expanding into cleantech and renewables-related technology, such as EV charging stations, landscaping and irrigation, geothermal solutions, etc.

We are also seeing another trend; According to Schneider Electric’s 2019 Corporate Energy & Sustainability Progress Report, every year, companies spend more than $450 billion on energy and sustainability initiatives while 63% of Fortune 100 companies have set clean energy targets. Furthermore, organizations that actively manage for climate change see an average 67% higher return on equity than companies that don’t. And the nearly 80,000 emission-reducing projects reported by 190 Fortune 500 companies in 2016 returned nearly $3.7 billion in savings.

As one food manufacturer states, “Being able to show investment plans and their payback had a larger impact on leadership decision-making than overwhelming them with lots of data about kilowatt hours and carbon output.”

It is this new direction in decision-making that is driving our Rebates and Incentives clients to seek answers on where they can get the most dollars for their energy spend. Our goal is to help our clients better use the data captured in that report to help improve project rebate values and capital offsets, and accelerate both payback and ROI.

Featured Utilities

2019 Utility Funding Announcements

EV Charging Rebates

Rebates and tax incentives for purchasing and installing EVSE (Electric Vehicle Supply Equipment) are being offered in several states. Below are a few of those programs. Contact us about others.

Salt River Project (SRP)

SRP offers a rebate to business customers who purchase and install Level 2 EVSE for use by their employees. The rebate is $500 per Level 2 EVSE charging port installed, limited to 12 per business. Rebates are available on a first-come, first-served basis.

Sacramento Municipal Utility District (SMUD)

SMUD is partnering with the Center for Sustainable Energy and the California Energy Commission to offer charging incentives for the purchase and installation of electric vehicle charging infrastructure. Incentives range from up to $6,500 per connector for a Level 2 charger and up to $80,000 per DC Fast Charger.

Plug-In Electric Vehicle (PEV) and Electric Vehicle Supply Equipment (EVSE) Grants

State Incentive – Colorado

The Colorado Energy office (CEO) and Regional Air Quality Council (RAQC) provide grants through the Charge Ahead Colorado program to support PEV and EVSE adoption by individual drivers and fleets. Both CEO and RAQC grants will fund 80% of the cost of EVSE, up to $3,260 for a single port station and $13,000 for a multiple port station.

EVSE Rebate - LADWP

LADWP is expanding its support of electric transportation with Charge Up LA! The program offers LADWP commercial customers rebates to help deploy electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure at businesses, including workplaces. Eligible customers may receive a charger rebate of up to $5,000 per qualified Level 2 (240-volt) single-port charger, with up to an additional $750 per extra charge port.

NYSERDA

Through Charge Ready NY, NYSERDA provides rebates of $4,000 per charging port for Level 2 charging stations installed at the workplace.

Utility Rebates

DTE

The DTE Energy Efficiency Program for Business is offering a special incentive bonus for chains or franchises with multiple locations doing projects under the same tax ID or parent company. This bonus is based on a tier structure, with a higher incentive bonus being paid to more participating locations with the same tax ID or parent company.

The DTE tiered bonus structure is as follows:

• Paid locations 2-10 will receive a 30% bonus
• Paid locations 11-20 will receive a 40% bonus
• Paid locations 21+ will receive a 50% bonus

Commonwealth Edison (ComEd)

ComEd’s increased incentives program is still in effect. Highlights include:

• LEDs increased by 25 percent from $ .40 to $ .50 per watts reduced
• VSDs for HVAC fans and pumps increased by 33% from $60 to $80 per HP
• Air compressors with integrated VSDs < 150 HP increased by 13 percent to $85 per HP
• Sizable incentives for chiller replacements
• Certain projects without a standard incentive can earn custom incentives as much as 71% higher than 2018

NYSEG and RG&E

NYSEG and RG&E now provide new construction rebates for customers who design and construct their facilities with energy-efficient equipment that exceeds baseline code, or standard practice in cases where code does not apply. Rebates can be pursued through either a Prescriptive or Custom application depending on the measure(s) installed. Revised applications will be posted to the website soon.

New Construction (NC) or Major Renovation (MR) refers to any of the following cases:

• A newly constructed facility
• A newly constructed addition to an existing facility that adds conditioned space
• A major renovation of an existing space which includes replacement of the HVAC and lighting equipment

 “We’re Listening”

We are working to make your Monthly Rebates and Incentives Report an effective decision tool for your energy efficiency and sustainability planning. Stay tuned for updates and webinars.

For more information contact diane.pruitt@se.com.