California LED Lighting Rebates 2026: Complete Guide (SCE, PG&E, LADWP, SDG&E)
Every California utility LED rebate program for 2026. Amounts, requirements, DLC listing, application process. Updated monthly.
California offers the most generous LED lighting rebates in the country. Between utility incentive programs, Title 24 compliance, and federal tax incentives, a commercial LED upgrade can be 30-60% subsidized. Here's every program you need to know for 2026.
Quick Rebate Summary by Utility
| Utility | Service Area | Typical Rebate/Fixture | Max Project | Application |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| SCE | Southern CA (excl. LA city) | $40-150 | $250,000 | Express Solutions |
| PG&E | Northern/Central CA | $30-120 | $200,000 | LED Incentive |
| LADWP | City of Los Angeles | $50-200 | $300,000 | Commercial Lighting |
| SDG&E | San Diego County | $40-130 | $200,000 | Express Efficiency |
| SMUD | Sacramento area | $25-100 | $100,000 | Commercial Retrofit |
SCE (Southern California Edison) — Express Solutions Program
Coverage: Orange County, Inland Empire, parts of LA County, Ventura, Santa Barbara, Central Coast Rebate Amounts (2026):- Interior fixtures (high bay, troffer, panel): $30-80 per fixture
- Exterior fixtures (area light, wall pack): $50-150 per fixture
- Exit signs: $15-25 per sign
- Controls (occupancy sensors, dimmers): $15-40 per device
- Must be DLC listed (Standard or Premium)
- Pre-approval required before installation
- Licensed contractor must perform installation
- Minimum 1-year warranty on fixtures
PG&E — LED Incentive Program
Coverage: San Francisco, Bay Area, Sacramento, Central Valley, North Coast Rebate Amounts (2026):- Per-watt reduced: $0.08-0.15/watt saved
- Flat rate: $30-120 per fixture depending on type
- Custom track: Based on kWh savings calculation
- Small Business Direct Install: PG&E covers up to 100% of costs for businesses under 200kW demand
- On-Bill Financing: 0% interest, repaid through electricity bill
LADWP — Commercial Lighting Efficiency Program
Coverage: City of Los Angeles only The most generous in California:- Area lights (≥150W): $100-200 per fixture
- High bays (≥100W): $80-150 per fixture
- Wall packs: $50-100 per fixture
- Exit signs: $20-30 per sign
- Occupancy sensors: $30-50 per device
- Highest per-fixture rebates
- No pre-approval needed (post-install application)
- Faster processing (2-4 weeks)
- Stacks with federal tax incentives
SDG&E — Express Efficiency
Coverage: San Diego County Rebate Amounts:- Similar to SCE but slightly lower
- Area lights: $40-130
- High bays: $30-80
- Custom incentives available for large projects (>100 fixtures)
Federal Tax Incentives (Stacks with Utility Rebates!)
Section 179D — Energy Efficient Commercial Building Deduction
- Up to $5.00 per square foot for qualifying lighting upgrades
- Must reduce lighting power density by 25%+ vs ASHRAE 90.1-2007
- Applies to: building owners, tenants who pay for improvements
- Can be combined with utility rebates (different incentive sources)
Bonus Depreciation
- 60% bonus depreciation in 2026 (was 80% in 2025, declining)
- LED fixtures qualify as tangible personal property
- Deduct 60% of fixture cost in year of installation
How to Maximize Your Total Incentive
Example: 50-fixture parking lot retrofit in Los Angeles| Incentive | Amount |
|---|---|
| Fixtures: 50 × PLB 150W @ $270 | $13,500 |
| LADWP rebate: 50 × $150 | -$7,500 |
| Federal 179D: 50,000 sqft × $1.50 | -$3,750 (tax deduction value) |
| Net cost after incentives | $2,250 |
| Annual energy savings | $4,860 |
| Payback: 5.5 months |
DLC Listing: Why It Matters
Every rebate program requires DLC listing. The Design Lights Consortium (DLC) tests and certifies LED fixtures for:- Minimum efficacy (>110 lm/W for most categories)
- Minimum CRI (>70)
- 5-year warranty minimum
- 50,000 hour L70 lifetime
All Auvolar products are DLC Premium listed, qualifying for the highest rebate tiers.
[Browse DLC-listed Auvolar products →](https://www.auvolar.com/products)
How LightSpec AI Helps with Rebate Applications
[LightSpec AI](https://www.auvolar.com/tools/lightspec-ai) generates:
- Photometric layout (required for most rebate applications)
- Energy savings calculation (kWh reduced)
- Before/after comparison
- PDF report (attach to rebate application)
[Start your free rebate analysis →](https://www.auvolar.com/tools/lightspec-ai)
Need Help With Your Lighting Project?
Auvolar provides free lighting design, photometric layouts, and rebate assistance for commercial projects.
Auvolar Engineering Team
City of Industry, California
Our engineering team has 15+ years of combined experience in commercial LED lighting design, photometric analysis, and energy-efficient building systems. We hold DLC QPL listing expertise and work directly with California utilities on rebate qualification. All technical content is reviewed by licensed electrical engineers.