Small Business Initiative
If you’re a “Small General Service” (SGS) or “General Service” (GS) electric customer (click here for a bill example) and in an eligible town, Efficiency Maine will pay 75% or more of the total upgrade cost for new LED lighting at your business. Projects are designed to significantly improve quality of light, reduce lighting maintenance costs, and past participants are saving approximately $100/month. Click here for a case study.
The Small Business Initiative is currently at work in these regions:
- Lewiston/Auburn Area, Region 23 (participating towns)
- Biddeford/Saco Area, Region 24 (participating towns)
- Winter Harbor Area (Route 9 Corridor), Region 25 (participating towns)
- Brunswick/Topsham Area, Region 26 (participating towns)
- Bath Area, Region 27 (participating towns)
- Camden/Wiscasset Area, Region 28 (participating towns)
- Northern Aroostook County, Region 29 (participating towns)
Upgrading lighting at your business is as easy as 1, 2, 3…
Step One: Fill out this form and upload a copy of your most recent electric bill. (Click here for billing example.)
Step Two: A local electrician will follow up to schedule your free, no-obligation lighting assessment.
Step Three: After the assessment, you and your contractor will review the proposed project scope for your approval.
You’re now ready for the contractor to order and install your new lighting. For most small businesses, your cost will be 25% of the total project cost with Efficiency Maine paying the contractor the remaining 75%. Most businesses recoup their upfront cost within the first year or so in lighting savings.
Enjoy lighting savings, better quality of light, reduced lighting maintenance costs, and more. To go further with your upgrades, click here to see how Efficiency Maine can help you with incentives for heat pumps in small businesses. Financing is also available for small business heat pump projects.
It’s that simple.
If you have additional questions, click here or call 866-376-2463.
See below for examples of how Efficiency Maine’s Small Business Initiative has helped businesses from around the state save energy:
Small Business Initiative In Action
| Business Name | Shaw’s Hardware (Sanford, ME) | Smith Co. Antique Shop (Cornish, ME) | TJ’s Sandwich Shop (Standish, ME) |
| Contractor | Absolute Power Electrical | Field Electric | BSP Electric |
| Old Lighting | Fluorescent Tubes | Fluorescent T12 Strips | Flourescent T8 & T12 Strips, Exterior Pole Light – 150W HPS |
| New Lighting | LED Linear Retrofit Kits and Replacement Bulbs | LED Linear 8’ Strips | LED Recessed Troffers and LED Linear Exterior Pole Light – 45WLED |
| Estimated Annual Energy Savings | 12,830 kWh/year | 5,501 kWh/year | 11,883 kWh/year |
| Estimated Annual Cost Savings | $1,900 | $525 | $1,782 |
Sign up for your free, no-obligation lighting assessment here.
Get Started
Ready to upgrade your facility with high-efficiency equipment and appliances? Work with an Efficiency Maine Qualified Partner in order to be eligible for these incentives.
Click here to find a Qualified Partner working near you. If you work with a contractor that is not yet a Qualified Partner, urge your contractor to find out more information here. As part of the project approval process, you will accept the C&I Prescriptive Program’s Terms and Conditions.
If you’re interested in getting started with an energy efficiency project in your business but don’t know where to start, you can sign-up for a virtual customer consultation here.
SBI Case Studies
 “We had heat pumps installed in two of the offices in our building. We have noticed that it is more cost efficient, the rooms are more comfortable, and we're doing our part to help the environment.” |
 “For a 117-year-old business, a one-year payback on our new lighting is a no-brainer!” |
 “The savings are nice, but the improvement in the light quality is unreal!” |
 “One of my long-time customers came in, took one look, and said, ‘Man, it’s bright in here!’
“It’s definitely a more cheerful place to work, too!” |