Rightlights Program

Overview and Scope of Work:  The RightLights Program installs comprehensive lighting retrofits and to small businesses and provides information-only resources on other energy efficiency measures.  In 2002-2003 the program territory included Santa Cruz, Monterey, and San Benito Counties.  For our 2004-2005 contract, the CPUC approved the addition of Santa Clara and San Mateo counties. The initial customer contact is typically made by an in-person visit by a RightLights Lighting Specialist.  While on-site the Specialist performs a detailed analysis of the current lighting system (Lighting Survey) and installs a Quick-Saver Package of CFLs valued at up to $250 per business (both at no cost to the customer).  Inefficiencies are identified and a cost-effective upgrade is designed.  The data is entered into a special computer program which computes the utility savings and instant rebate, then “builds” the retrofit project and generates all necessary work orders, equipment lists, and contractor paperwork. The Lighting Specialist then presents a plan and pricing for a comprehensive lighting retrofit for the approval of the business decision maker.  The computerized report details project costs, instant rebate amount, annual utility savings, payback period, energy savings, and CO₂ abated. A program contractor is assigned who visits the site and verifies the project parameters, then schedules and performs the retrofit. On an ongoing basis, RightLights staff audits a percentage of completed jobs to ensure quality and contractor compliance with program standards.  After verification of satisfactory job completion RightLights issues the rebate directly to the contractor. 

Target Audience(s):  RightLights targets nonresidential electrical customers with less than 500 kW of peak demand, such as small retail, hotel/motel, light manufacturing, restaurants, offices, and similar enterprises.  Frequently left behind by other efficiency programs and hardest hit by rising energy prices, these firms offer the greatest opportunity for job growth and are a prime engine for local economic health. 

Funder:  RightLights is funded by the ratepayers of California’s Investor-Owned Utilities (in our case, PG&E) under the auspices of the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC). 

Funding Level:  $1,904,738 for 2002-2003; $5,000,000 for 2004-2005.

Program Partners:  In RightLights 2002-2003, Ecology Action teamed with the Center for Energy and Environment (CEE) and Energy Solutions.  For RightLights 2004-2005, partners include CEE and Lighting Wizards. 

Timeline:  Our 2002-2003 contract was awarded in May 2002 and signed by PG&E in August.  All incentive funds were to be committed by 12/31/03 and all other work completed by 3/31/04. Our new contract was awarded in November 2003; implementation begins from date of contract signing (est. 2/23/04) through March 2006, with all incentive funds to be committed by 12/31/05 (e.g., no new business sold after that date).

Staff Members Working on Project: Mahlon Aldridge, Program Director; Gene Thomas, Program Manager; Masako Brauneis, Program Coordinator; Steven Call, Lighting Specialist ; Angela Stuart, Lighting Specialist ; Aaron Brown, Lighting Specialist. Additional full-time staff will be hired to cover the program’s expansion in 2004-2005, including four more Lighting Specialists and one administrative support person.  The Lighting Specialist positions have been filled (start date pending signed PG&E contract) and the administrative position is on hold until Q2-04.

Desired Behavior Changes:  Most small business owners feel that energy costs are beyond their control.  In the process of upgrading their lighting, we show them that they can effectively reduce and contain their energy expenses by installing cost-effective efficiency measures and through common-sense conservation.  As a result of their positive experience and ongoing savings, they are more likely to look for other ways to conserve energy and improve efficiency and be receptive to similar programmatic efforts.

Desired Outcomes of Program:  The primary purpose of the program is to deliver persistent and sustainable energy savings at the lowest possible cost to a customer group that historically has not received a proportional share of Public Goods Charge (PGC) energy efficiency program funds.  Secondarily, RightLights seeks to serve the greatest possible number of businesses that met hard-to-reach (HTR) criteria, e.g., non-English speaking, business size, ownership, etc. 

Results:  Through December 2003, RightLights in the three Monterey Bay Area counties has surpassed 185% of its original kW goal and 180% of its kWh goal within budget and on time.  Energy savings (deemed) and customer attainment are shown below: