There are several programs available via Save on Energy, however, we will focus on the two that most businesses in Niagara-on-the-Lake are most likely to utilize:
- Retrofit – for all businesses
- Small Business Lighting – for smaller businesses
- For all other Programs, please visit Save on Energy
Retrofit Program
Get financial incentives to upgrade equipment that will lower energy costs, improve productivity and support your business’s sustainability goals. Join other like-minded businesses who are seeing the benefits the Retrofit Program provides in saving on operational costs and contributing to a brighter future.
Get up to 50% of your eligible costs covered for energy efficiency upgrades
What types of projects are eligible?
Projects eligible for the Retrofit Program are generally those that provide sustainable, measurable and verifiable reductions in peak electricity demand and electricity consumption. Project incentives are available for a variety of products and technologies to help businesses save on energy costs and increase their competitiveness.
Examples of eligible projects include but are not limited to:
- custom equipment retrofits
- solar photovoltaic systems
- computer room air conditioners
- industrial energy management information system
- network lighting controls
- HVAC redesign
- chiller replacement
- variable-speed drive installations
Please speak to your Save on Energy representative about an upcoming project. Representatives can be contacted through the Retrofit support line at 1-844-303-5542 or by email at retrofit@ieso.ca.
Double Incentives for Niagara-on-the-Lake Customers
The IESO has introduced Retrofit regional adders in some areas of the province where electricity constraints exist, to assist in reducing demand for the transmission assets. Niagara customers are currently eligible for adders (as of September 2025) but these adders will not last forever.
Most non-lighting measures will be eligible for double the incentive normally available from the Retrofit program through the Retrofit regional adders, with the exception of solar PV DERs, horticultural lighting, horticultural lighting controls, and the energy management information system (EMIS) measures.
Please speak to your Save on Energy representative about accessing the regional adder. Representatives can be contacted through the Retrofit support line at 1-844-303-5542 or by email at retrofit@ieso.ca.
Custom Stream
Get up to 50% of eligible project costs covered for larger, more complex energy-efficiency retrofits. The Custom stream accommodates a wider range of project types to capture electricity savings based on your business’s actual operating conditions. For non-lighting measures and networked lighting controls, the Custom stream offers a greater incentive amount of $1,800/kW of peak demand savings (up from $1,200/kW), or $0.20/kWh of energy savings (up from $0.13/kWh) achieved for your project.
Prescriptive Stream
Get up to 50% of eligible project costs covered for targeted energy efficiency retrofits, including but not limited to: solar photovoltaic systems, computer room air conditioners, HVAC controls and pumps, motors, variable frequency drives, manufacturing equipment, network lighting controls and more.
Greenhouse Incentives
- LED grow lights and advanced lighting controls
Achieve long-term savings and shine new light on your business with LED grow lights, including LED top lighting and inter-lighting, and advanced lighting controls. - Dual and natural exhaust vents
Read our agribusiness worksheet to learn about the incentives you can get for natural ventilation. - High-efficiency ventilation exhaust fans
Your business can receive a max of $500 per fan. - Recirculation ventilation fans
You can get a high-volume, low-speed fan for up to $4,820 per fan. - Photocells and timers for lighting controls
You can receive $360 per timer and photocell controller combo.
Solar Photovoltaic Specific Incentives
Two categories of eligible solar PV systems:
- Micro-generation for PV installations that are up to 10kW at $1,000/kW-DC.
- Small/medium generation for PV installations that are greater than 10kW-AC, up to 1MW-AC, at $860/kW-AC.
Systems larger than 1,000 kW AC can be eligible; however, the incentive amount will be capped at 1,000 kW AC and at 50% of total eligible project costs (including labour and materials).
How it Works
- Contact Niagara-on-the-Lake Hydro Engineering Team to discuss the connection process and the allowable maximum capacity of the solar PV system
- Sign up for a Retrofit Portal account, if you do not already have an account, as an account is required to submit a Retrofit application to apply for any incentives under the program
- Complete worksheet and submit a Retrofit application for review through the Save on Energy Retrofit portal and receive an application pre-approval
- A Retrofit application must be submitted before entering into a binding commitment for the solar PV project to be eligible for a Retrofit incentive (e.g., purchase order for solar PV must not be issued before a Retrofit application is submitted)
- Receive approval to connect from NOTL Hydro and install your project
- Receive approval from Save on Energy for your post-project Retrofit application and Retrofit incentive invoice
Deadlines
To qualify for a Retrofit incentive, you must complete the steps above no later than 24 months after your Retrofit application is pre-approved.
Small Business Program
Drive your business forward with Save on Energy incentives of up to $3,000 for eligible lighting equipment and up to $2,500 for eligible non-lighting equipment.
The Save on Energy Small Business Program is designed to help small businesses across Ontario make equipment improvements to reduce their energy consumption, at no cost to their business. Leveraging the success of the former Small Business Lighting program, this new and improved program offers small businesses direct-install incentives on an expanded range of equipment – both lighting and non-lighting. An investment in energy-efficient equipment upgrades is an investment in enhancing your customers’ experience, employee satisfaction and your bottom line. Save time and money when you participate in the Small Business program.
Eligibility
- Businesses with an operating capacity of 50 or fewer employees.
- Participants in the former Save on Energy Small Business Lighting program, Refrigeration Efficiency program, Business Refrigeration Incentive program, and RTUsaver program may be eligible for certain upgrades.
- Businesses that have previously participated and received funding may qualify to receive additional upgrades at no cost. Learn more in the eligibility section of the FAQs.
- Businesses that participated in a Save on Energy program before April 1, 2019 are still eligible to apply to the Small Business Program and may receive the full $3,000 in incentives for lighting and $2,500 for non-lighting equipment.
Note: Certain upgrades that exceed $3,000 for lighting measures and $2,500 for non-lighting measures may qualify for additional incentives (refer to the Eligible Measures List for all upgrades available).
How it works
The Small Business Program is a simple and easy solution to improve the energy efficiency of your business. Here’s how it works:
- Call 1-833-825-7283 or complete this form to schedule a free on-site assessment to identify energy-efficiency opportunities for your business, including lighting, refrigeration and smart thermostat upgrades.
- After the assessment, you will be presented with options for energy-efficient upgrades that can be installed in your business, free of charge. If you choose to proceed, you will be sent a participant agreement and work order for your review and signature.
- Qualified Save on Energy delivery partners will handle the entire installation process on your behalf – everything from searching for a qualified contractor to obtaining quotes and scheduling installations, and even project management of the retrofit and clean-up.