Commercial Lighting Program

The Center for Energy and Environment (CEE) developed and is currently managing the One-Stop Efficiency Shop lighting rebate program for Xcel Energy (formerly NSP). The One-Stop Efficiency Shop is available to businesses with an electric demand of 400 kW or less in Xcel Energy’s Minnesota service territory. The program is specifically designed to address the concerns small business owners face when choosing more efficient lighting: limited financial resources and time, limited knowledge of lighting products and access to quality contractors.

Customers with high savings potential include small commercial and industrial businesses with long operating hours such as bowling alleys, car dealerships, hotels, banks, light industrial plants, and office buildings.

The One-Stop Efficiency Shop offers very competitive rebates. After completing the free, no obligation audit, business owners who decide to retrofit their existing lighting system receive $525 per kW saved up to 60% of the total installed cost.  A rebate of up to $625/kW is available for certain applications.  Program participants also have the option of 3.9% financing. A detailed report is generated, based on a customer’s unique lighting schedules and electric rates, and is presented to the customer following the audit.

One-Stop Efficiency Shop offers a pool of qualified contractors to reduce the hassle of collecting bids. Completed retrofits are also spot-checked by program staff to guarantee high quality installations and customer satisfaction.

Many small businesses have already taken advantage of the benefits of the One-Stop Efficiency Shop. Employment Action Center is a Minneapolis non-profit agency. Without the program, replacing over 100 outdated, T-12 standard fluorescent lamps with efficient T-8’s would have cost the agency a prohibitive $6,900. However, Employment Action Center received a $3,700 rebate, covering 53% of the installation costs. The agency’s savings are estimated at approximately $112 per month. With an estimated payback of 2.9 years the agency will save approximately 8.5 kW and 18,827 kWh annually.

One-Stop Efficiency Shop Program Evaluation - This report provides a detailed evaluation of the One-Stop Efficiency Shop from 2000 - 2009 and includes sections pertaining to marketing, contractor participation, sales, inspections, and customer satisfaction surveys.

Contact Kristen Funk at 612-335-3487 for more information.