Rebate Programs
CCAG: Customer Contribution
Assistance Grant
Program Overview
The Customer Contribution Assistance Grant (CCAG) complements your local utility’s energy efficiency rebate programs. While utilities may fund up to 65% of the product and installation costs, CCAG steps in to cover the customer’s co-pay portion—up to $10,000. (Additional funding may be available with prior approval. Please contact your program manager for details.)
To protect consumers and ensure long-term satisfaction, CCAG relies on the SAFE score—a quality benchmark designed to reward manufacturers and distributors who provide reliable warranty services. Only those maintaining a SAFE score of 675 or higher are eligible to participate, while underperformers are removed from the program.
The CCAG creates a win-win-win scenario: businesses reduce monthly energy costs and access funding to afford critical upgrades; reputable manufacturers and distributors are rewarded for standing behind their products; and unreliable providers are removed to maintain quality standards. In the end, the environment benefits too—through greater adoption of energy-efficient technologies.
Program Manager
Michael Hancock
“Staying grounded.”
MHancock@naece.org
Eligibility Criteria
To qualify for the Customer Contribution Assistance Grant (CCAG), applicants must meet the following requirements:
PARTICIPATION
- This program is available for all non-residential entities, including commercial, industrial, and government organizations.
- Applicant must have completed an energy-efficieny upgrade within the last 12 months and received a rebate from their local utility company.
ELIGIBLE PRODUCTS
- Product manufacturers must be participating in the “Smart Warranty QR Program”.
- Product manufacturers must maintain a “SAFE” score of 675 or higher to qualify.
- What happens when a SAFE score goes below 675?
CUSTOMER CONTRIBUTION (CO-PAY)
- The customer contribution (co-pay) must be greater than $500 and less than $10,000.
ORIGINAL REBATE PROGRAM
- Commercial Indoor and Outdoor Lighting
- Retrofit from “traditional” to energy-efficient lighting: Yes
- Efficient lighting such as LED to efficient lighting retrofits: No
- Shared Savings Agreements such as Lighting as a Service (LaaS): No
- New Construction: No
- Not including horticulture or landscape lighting.
- Commercial Heating, Air Conditioning and Ventilation
- Retrofit from “traditional” to electric, energy-efficient equipment: Yes
- New Construction: Yes
COVERAGE: USA Active | Canada coming 2026*
- Connecticut
- Delaware
- Maine
- Maryland
- Massachusetts
- New Hampshire
- New Jersey
- New York
- Pennsylvania
- Rhode Island
- Vermont
Required Documents
- All files from your original utility rebate submission, including:
- Vendor original proposal (including itemized labor and materials)
- Cut sheets for all measures (must identify model number)
- Worksheet submitted for the utility rebate application.
- Proof of customer contribution (co-pay)
- Deposited & canceled bank check
- Credit card terminal receipt
- Proof of bank, ACH, or wire transfer.
- Grant recipient’s “Certificate of Good Standing”.
- Grant recipient’s W9 (USA).
Important
- All files must be in PDF format
- Files in total must not exceed 100Mb
- You will receive an email confirmation of the application receipt
- Do not submit more than once
- We reserve the right to request additional documentation for evaluation purposes
- There is no fee to apply or receive the CCAG grant.
CCAG Manufacturer Participation Guidelines
VERIFICATION
- Find your manufacturer listing on our website.
- Click “Claim Listing” and follow the verification steps.
- We may contact you through email for additional information.
- We will never call asking for sensitive information.
- We highly recommend uploading your:
- Warranty Policies
- Product Brochures
- Cutsheets / Technical Summaries
- Installation Instructions
- Buy Link
SAFE SCORE 675+
- To qualify for participation, manufacturers must maintain a minimum SAFE Score of 675 for three (3) consecutive months.
- The SAFE Rating is a composite score that reflects customer experiences with manufacturers and brands. It provides a clear, data-driven measure of reliability, service quality, and product satisfaction.
- Learn More About SAFE Ratings
PARTICIPATION
- Pilot Program
- The pilot program is now closed, and insights from it have been integrated into the current enrollment process.
- Participation Fees
- Products Made in the USA, Mexico, or Canada: $0
- Other Products: USD $75 per product model number, per annum.
Next Steps for Manufacturers
- Register Your Account: Click here.
- Claim Your Listing: Find your manufacturer listing by visiting our manufacturer listing page.
- Monitor Your Warranty Requests: Efficient and satisfactory after-sales service is the only way to ensure your SAFE score meets the minimum requirement of 675
Please Feel free to contact us.
Grant Payment
Approval
- We aspire to have all funds released within 30-45 days of review and approval of applications.
- Made in USA, Mexico, or Canada products take priority.
- Project locations within Disadvantage Communities (DACs) take priority.
- Grants are subject to funds availability, and program changes.
- See if your facility is located in a DAC here.
Payment Method
- You may choose bank ACH or physical checks.
- ACH payment recipients may incur a service fee from their financial institution for receiving funds.
- Check payments will be mailed via the US Postal Service or Canada Post.
- We are not responsible for the delivery time.
Lost Check/Payment
- If your check is lost in the mail (75+ days since payment approval), please contact us for a replacement check.
- All replacement checks are subject to a $24.95 Check Cancellation and Replacement Fee.
Inspection
NAECE has the right to inspect and confirm that the reported products are installed and in working order. Contractors and end-users must provide access to the project site if requested.
Grant Terms and Conditions
NAECE may change the program and the Terms & Conditions at any time without notice. NAECE, however, will process pre-approved applications to completion under the Terms & Conditions in effect at the time of the pre-approval.
NAECE reserves the right, for any reason, to stop pre-approving applications at any time without notice. In particular, NAECE is not obligated to pre-approve any application for a grant that may result in NAECE exceeding its program budget.
The Program described in the application may be altered, suspended, or canceled by NAECE at any time without prior notice. Under such circumstances, the Customer is not entitled to any Program benefits in excess of those approved prior to such action by NAECE. Submission of a completed application does not entitle the Customer to program participation. Entitlement to Program participation can only occur after NAECE has signed a copy of the application and granted pre-approval or post-approval.
These Terms and Conditions and program requirements outline the conditions under which NAECE will pay rebates. These Terms and Conditions are subject to change at NAECE’s discretion.
If any provision of the Terms and Conditions is deemed invalid by any court or administrative body having jurisdiction, such ruling shall not invalidate any other provision, and the remaining Terms and Conditions shall remain in full force and effect in accordance with their terms.
Please see our Terms and Conditions.
Fraud Misrepresentation, and Overpayment Recovery
Right to Recover Funds:
In the event that NAECE discovers any instance of fraud, misrepresentation, or overpayment related to a rebate application, NAECE reserves the right to recover the improperly paid amount directly from the Customer’s account through an ACH withdrawal or any other lawful means.
Customer Consent:
By participating in the Program, the Customer expressly authorizes NAECE to debit their bank account for the full amount of any rebate paid in error, resulting from fraud, misrepresentation, or miscalculation. This authorization remains in effect until all improperly disbursed funds are recovered.
Notification of Action:
NAECE will notify the Customer of the identified issue and the intent to recover funds through ACH withdrawal at least 10 business days prior to initiating the transaction.
Dispute Process:
If the Customer disputes the recovery action, they must provide supporting documentation and a written explanation within 5 business days of receiving notice from NAECE. NAECE will review the dispute and respond within 10 business days.
Legal Recourse:
NAECE retains the right to pursue any necessary legal action to recover improperly paid funds if ACH recovery is not feasible or is unsuccessful.
Program Participation Suspension:
Customers found to have committed fraud or misrepresentation will be immediately suspended from the Program and may be permanently barred from future participation.
