How to find rebates for greenhouse lighting upgrades

Published September 17, 2025 | Updated September 23, 2025

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Editor's Note: This article originally appeared in the August 2025 print edition of Greenhouse Management under the headline “Added value.”

Rebates and incentives for energy-efficient greenhouse upgrades, including supplemental lighting, are available from local, state and federal agencies. But with the fluid situation of any type of governmental funding, it’s best to ask for assistance.

Who can help?

Your lighting vendor is a great place to start. They’ve helped you through the process of developing a lighting plan and provided suggestions for the products that fit your needs, but don’t stop there.

Check with your county extension agent, which may be privy to local funds available, and ask your utility provider what types of incentives it may offer for energy-efficiency installs and upgrades.

Next, look for rebates and incentives at the state level. Each state has a regulatory body that is tasked with overseeing the regulation of utilities. That governing body may have a different name in certain states, but look for the Public Utility Commission, the Public Service Commission or the Utility Regulatory Commission. If your state government’s site doesn’t provide the answer you’re looking for, visit countyoffice.org/public-service-commission and comparepower.com/public-utility-commissions for a list of agencies in regulated and deregulated states.

Finding federal funds may take a little more sleuthing.

The Rural Development office of the USDA provides a list of federal funds that may include greenhouse lighting or other energy upgrades. Sift through the projects at rd.usda.gov/newsroom/federal-funding-opportunities.

The RD also manages the Rural Energy for America Program (REAP). The parameters of this program have changed with the current administration. And on June 30, the USDA announced it will delay opening of the first grant application window for Fiscal Year (FY) 2026 for REAP.

“This decision was made due to the overwhelming response and continued popularity of the program resulting in a backlog of applicants,” RD Deputy Under Secretary Todd Lindsay said in a released statement. “This decision will allow USDA time to dedicate the necessary resources and attention to the backlog of applications. USDA anticipates accepting both REAP Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) and Farm Bill applications again starting on Oct. 1, 2025, for Fiscal Year 2026 funding.”

The office suggests contacting your RD state energy coordinator, which is listed here: rd.usda.gov/contact-us/state-energy-coordinators.

Canadian growers can visit saveonenergy.ca and navigate to the business page for a list of rebates and incentives.

Other cost-saving measures

While you work out that next lighting plan or search for rebates and incentives, have you considered a greenhouse energy audit?

Ag engineer and consultant John Bartok Jr. says an energy audit can range from a simple walkthrough to identify major problem areas to a comprehensive analysis of where every Btu of energy is consumed.

“The areas covered should include heating and electricity use, as these are the largest energy bills that you pay,” he says. “Major savings can usually be achieved with a simple walkthrough audit. This will identify losses due to infiltration and areas where insulation can be beneficial. It can also point out maintenance to heating, cooling and control systems that should be done.”

Here’s a sample walkthrough audit that Bartok recommends.