Rebate programs change more often than anyone documents them. What follows is what actually cleared for our commercial projects in the first quarter of 2026 — not what the program guides claim.
The pattern across provinces
Almost every commercial lighting incentive now keys off DLC listing plus a measured watts-per-square-foot reduction. The differences are in the paperwork, not the physics.
Ontario — the saveONenergy retrofit stream remains the most predictable. Prescriptive path for common fixture types, custom path for anything over roughly 50 kW of savings.
Quebec — strong per-kWh incentives, but the application window and the pre-approval requirement catch people out. Get pre-approval before the fixtures ship.
British Columbia — program-by-utility rather than province-wide, so a project spanning two utilities needs two applications.
Alberta — commercial programs are thinner; the economics usually rest on the fixture cost rather than the incentive.
What kills an application
Buying before pre-approval where pre-approval is required.
Model numbers that don't match the DLC listing.
Missing the post-install inspection window.
We keep current IES files, DLC strings and LM-79/LM-80 reports on hand for everything we stock. Ask and we will package them for your submission.