News

Help for new members, plus timely updates and reminders for all

We sat down with Tanya Perewernycky, program delivery specialist with the BC Hydro Alliance of Energy Professionals, recently for a list of tips that can help Alliance members, new and existing. Topics ranged from energy-efficiency projects to EV charger rebates.

But before we start, here's a reminder of what Alliance membership offers:

• Program support and updates
• Commercial and industrial customer referrals from BC Hydro
• Opportunities to attend educational and networking events.

And now, here are some points to keep top of mind with your projects as an Alliance member. To help you quickly get what you need, we've divided it into sections about lighting retrofits and EV charger rebates.

Lighting retrofit applications

Below are our top tips for lighting incentives, which are offered through two programs depending on the size of your business: the business energy-saving incentives (BESI) program and the self-serve incentives program (SIP).

Tweaking an application? Let us know ASAP

One of the surest ways to guarantee a delay in processing incentives around a project – or worse, to see a project application rejected – is to not check in with revisions to an application.

"If you have any changes to an application or to a project's scope, let us know in advance," says Perewernycky. "Don't try and change it at the end as the application may not allow you to. Just let us know ASAP before you begin work."

Before you start work, get pre-approval

When you assume that a project will be approved by BC Hydro, it's tempting to get a jump on that work (or to purchase products) without waiting for pre-approval. Don't do it, or you risk leaving your customer on the hook for the extra costs of a lost incentive.

Pre-approval is required for product incentives (BESI) and self-service incentives (SIP). And, as a general rule, for all commercial and industrial incentive projects.

Familiarize yourself with the BESI get started checklist [PDF], and the CEM Hub, the tool for navigating registration, login and the application process.

If, in reviewing invoices, we discover that some products were purchased before the pre-approval date, they'll be disqualified.

Confirm that products are eligible for your retrofit

We only pay for product upgrades that will deliver on qualified energy savings specified by the program. It's all about the right product in the right configuration, and each upgrade must match the specifics of the application.

"For BESI, confirm products you're interested in are eligible for the retrofit configuration you're applying for," says Perewernycky. "Get acquainted with the e.Catalog and always check it."

Eligibility for incentives is specifically linked to the technology being replaced, and which upgrades and products qualify. It's very specific to each retrofit. Based on what the customer has existing, identify what they can upgrade to, and which products they can use.

Learn about project inspections, including the remote option

The majority of projects go ahead – with incentives paid out – without pre or post site inspections. But projects are selected for inspection at random by an algorithm.

With smaller businesses, the site visit and inspection can take as little as 30 minutes, depending on the size of the business and the number of products specified in the application. Most inspections are done in under an hour. And with the success of remote inspections in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, we're continuing with that option.

With remove inspections, customers randomly selected for project inspections are contacted by email and are asked to submit photos that can help inspectors make a proper assessment of product upgrades including the number and type of products involved.

Get more details about remote inspections.

Make sure invoices are complete and clear

The final stage of an incentive application, after project declaration, is an invoice review. Your invoice will need to include the application number, model numbers of the products installed – check that they match what was indicated in the customer's declaration – and the quantities of each product as well as the cost to install.

If the information is unclear on the invoices submitted, follow-up is required. And that causes a delay in the customer receiving their incentive.

Electric vehicle charger applications

Know the requirement differences between EV charger offers

Rebates for home chargers

• Eligible for single-family homes, townhouses or duplexes
• Products must be new, not leased or previously used
• Approved for sale and use in Canada and have cUL, ULC, cETL, CSA, or cQPS certification
• Products must be a Level 2 charger, 208 volt or 240 volt, and feature a SAE J1772 standard plug head (the only exception to the SAE J1772 plug head requirement is the Tesla Wall Connector. The Tesla Mobile Connector is not eligible for rebates.)
• Applications must be submitted within 90 days of the charger installation.

Rebates for apartment/condo charging

• EV Ready plan
  • Stratas are eligible to have an EV Ready plan document prepared to help them plan and prepare for EV charger installations.
• EV Ready infrastructure rebates
  • Require a completed and approved EV Ready plan
• EV Charger rebates – pre-approval is required for...
  • Implementing the EV Ready plan
  • For those who didn't complete an EV Ready plan, installing eligible chargers
  • Eligible chargers must be networked and connected to a central system via internet communication
  • Note that Tesla Wall Connectors are not eligible for rebates at apartment or condo buildings

Rebates for workplace

• Eligibility is limited to workplace employee-dedicated parking only
• Eligible chargers must be networked and connected to a central system via internet communication
• Note that Tesla Wall Connectors are not eligible for workplace rebates
• Application pre-approval is required

Learn more about rebate offers for chargers at single-family homes, in condos and apartments, and at workplaces.

We're here to help

There is so much going on right now related to BC Hydro and CleanBC incentives, from electric vehicle charging initiatives to struggles around the delivery of energy-efficient products.

We're here to help, even if supply chain issues threaten your ability to meet a project deadline.

"If product delays are delaying the completion of a project, reach out to us," says Perewernycky. "So long as the product you're waiting for qualifies for the retrofit configuration that's in your project, and we're alerted that you're behind schedule, we can make adjustments to the expected completion dates."

When you need help, contact us by email.