Commercial Lighting Program

Montana > Conservation > Commercial Lighting Program

 

Commercial Lighting Incentive Application (.pdf)
Custom Lighting Incentive Form (.xls)

The Commercial Lighting Incentive program has been established to encourage commercial customers to replace less efficient lighting products with new high-efficient technologies. The Commercial Lighting Program is divided into a standard project and a custom project option. Annual funding for this program is limited; therefore, Montana-Dakota Utilities Co. must pre-approve all custom projects and standard projects with incentives over $1,000.


Customer Qualifications: This program applies to all existing commercial facilities with an active Montana-Dakota Utilities Co. electric account in the states of Montana and Wyoming. For inquires please call 1-800-MDU-FAST (1-800-638-3278).


Terms and Conditions:

  • Annual funding is limited, therefore all custom projects and standard projects with incentives over $1,000 must be pre-approved by Montana-Dakota Utilities Co. Montana-Dakota will provide written notice of approval.

  • Montana large customers, as defined by MCA 69-8103(17), will not be eligible for this program as Universal System Benefits funding is applied for all incentives.

  • Signed application and installation invoices must be submitted within 1 year of the invoice date.

  • Incentive items must be installed on the account number listed on application.

  • Equipment must be new. Used or rebuilt equipment is not eligible.

  • Total Incentive cannot exceed 50% of project cost.

  • Minimum rebate is $25. Incentive payment checks are usually processed in 4 to 6 weeks.

  • Equipment must meet technical requirements as listed in the technical specifications section of this application.

  • Montana-Dakota reserves the right to modify or cancel this program with 60 days notice. Notice of program modification or cancellation will be provided on Montana-Dakota’s website at www.montana-dakota.com.

  • Montana-Dakota reserves the right to verify any equipment installation within two years of project completion. If this inspection finds that you did not comply with the program rules and standards, any rebate you have received must be returned to Montana-Dakota.

  • Montana-Dakota recommends Illuminating Engineering Society (IES) light levels.


How to Apply: If pre-approval is required (all Custom Projects and Standard Projects over $1,000) please submit all forms described below and check the pre-approval box. Please submit forms prior to commencing work to ensure that funding for your project is secured. Montana-Dakota will respond in writing once it is approved.

  • Complete an application form and project information sheet for each account number or address.

  • Fill out and sign the Commercial Lighting Incentive Application form (Page 3).

  • Fill out the Standard Project information sheet Page 4 and/or the Custom Project Information sheet Page 5. The Project Information Sheet(s) are also available online in PDF or Excel spreadsheet format or to obtain a paper copy  call 1-800-MDU-FAST (1-800-638-3278).

  • Attach a copy of the itemized invoice(s) with make and model number of each item on the invoice.

Mail to:

Montana-Dakota Utilities Co.
Attn: Market & Sales Support
400 North Fourth Street
Bismarck, ND 58501


Standard Lighting Project: The Standard Lighting Project Incentive was developed to simplify the application process for the most common types of lighting retrofits, which are the T12 to T8 fluorescent retrofit, Compact Fluorescent Lamp retrofit (CFL), exit sign retrofit to LED or CFL. Incentive per fixture is based on a one for one replacement. Additional standard lighting project information forms are available online in PDF and Excel Spreadsheet format or to obtain a paper copy call 1-800-MDU-FAST (1-800-638-3278).

 

Standard Project Technical Specifications:

Fluorescent T8 or T5 Lamp and Electronic Ballast
Both fixture retrofits and complete new fixtures apply under this category. Lamps must have tri-chromatic phosphors and the electronic ballast(s) and must meet or exceed the following requirements. Ballasts must be high frequency (>10 kHz), electronic, and have a minimum life of 50,000 hours. Ballasts must also be UL-listed and warranted against mechanical or electrical defects for three years. Ballasts must have a PF > 0.85. Ballasts for 4-foot lamps must have THD < 20%. Ballasts for 2-foot, 3-foot, and 8-foot must have THD < 32%.

Compact Fluorescent (CF) Lamp
Incentive applies only if an incandescent lamp is being replaced. The lamp/ballast combination must have a minimum efficacy of 40 LPW. Only complete, new fixtures and hardwired retrofits with socket removal or permanent modification (that prevents reverting to incandescent lamps) qualify. Cord and plug connected devices are not eligible. Electronic ballasts are required for these fixtures. Products and lamps where the bulb cannot be removed and replaced separately from the ballast (integral lamps) do not qualify.

Exit Sign
Incentive applies only if an incandescent exit sign is being replaced. Non-electrified and remote exit signs are not eligible. Replacement lamps must not exceed 9 watts each for CFL and 5 watts for LED. The lamp/ballast combination must have a minimum efficacy of 30 LPW. Ballast must have a minimum 40,000-hour life, have a PF>0.85, and be UL- and ETL- listed. Conversion must meet local fire codes. LED exit sign retrofit kits apply under this category. However, kits are not acceptable for battery back-up fixtures.

Custom Lighting Project
The Custom Lighting Project Incentive was developed to provide an incentive for lighting projects that do not fit the Standard Lighting Project Incentive as discussed above, but provide additional wattage reductions for customers.  All custom project incentives must be pre-approved by Montana-Dakota.  Additional custom lighting project information forms are available online in PDF and Excel Spreadsheet format or to obtain a paper copy call 1-800-MDU-FAST (1-800-638-3278).

 

Custom Project Technical Specifications:

Existing fixture wattage and proposed fixture wattage estimates

  • Incentive is based on total watts reduced therefore standard wattages for fixtures must be from a credible source such as lighting manufacturer data and standard average wattage tables. Montana-Dakota reserves the right to request the source of the wattages listed.

Lighting Controls, Street Lighting, and Outdoor Lighting

  • All lighting controls, street lighting, outdoor lighting, and reflectors are prohibited.
  • High-Bay Fluorescent T8 and T5 High Output lamps with Electronic Ballast
  • All high bay T8 or T5 HO fixtures must have reflectors.
  • Metal Halide (including Ceramic & Pulse-start) and High Pressure Sodium Fixtures
  • Incentive applies as long as the metal halide or high pressure sodium fixture wattages are lower than existing fixture wattages.