Focus on Energy, Wisconsin’s statewide energy efficiency and renewable energy program, is helping businesses cut energy costs, improve building performance, and increase their bottom line in 2025. With updated incentive amounts across multiple categories, from solar PV to LED retrofits to custom process equipment, this year’s offerings provide opportunities for every sector, from agriculture to manufacturing to retail.

Whether you’re pursuing simple equipment replacements or planning a high-performance new building, Focus on Energy has a program designed to support your goals.

New Construction: Building Smart from the Ground Up

For Wisconsin businesses planning a new facility, major addition, or adaptive reuse, Focus on Energy’s New Construction program offers tiered support at every stage of development. Customers can access financial incentives and technical guidance through:

• Energy Design Assistance (EDA): Ideal for early-stage design planning, offering $0.075 per kWh and $0.87 per therm saved.
• Express EDA: A self-directed energy modeling tool for multifamily, retail, or warehouse projects, with the same incentive rates.
• Energy Design Review (EDR): For projects nearing the Construction Documents phase, offering $0.06 per kWh and $0.70 per therm saved.

Solar-ready building designs can also earn a $2,500 bonus when integrated into EDA or EDR plans.

Prescriptive Incentives: Quick Wins for Common Equipment

Focus on Energy’s prescriptive incentives are available for a wide range of equipment installed between January 1 and December 31, 2025. These include HVAC, lighting, motors, controls, refrigeration, and more. Highlights include:

• LED High Bay Fixtures: Up to $150 per fixture depending on type.
• Unit Heaters: Up to $3 per MBh for retrofits.
• Advanced RTU Controllers: $100 per ton controlled.
• Exterior LED Area Fixtures: Up to $230 per fixture.

Projects exceeding $10,000 should request pre-approval to guarantee funding.

Custom Incentives: Tailored Support for Unique Projects

For non-standard upgrades or projects that don’t qualify for prescriptive incentives, Focus on Energy offers generous custom incentives based on projected first-year energy savings. Incentive rates include:

• $0.05 per kWh saved (or $0.02 for low-payback projects)
• $0.95 per therm saved (or $0.20 for low-payback projects)
• Up to $100 per peak kW reduced for energy efficiency projects
• Up to $125 per peak kW generated or reduced for renewables

Incentives are capped at the lesser of $300,000, 50% of project cost, or a one-year simple payback.

Operations & Maintenance Incentives

Ongoing maintenance can be just as impactful as new equipment. Focus on Energy offers incentives for:

• Retro commissioning (RCx): Earn $0.06–$0.20 per square foot based on energy use reduction.
• Whole Building Tune-Ups: $500 per tune-up measure plus a $250 bonus for a Building Health Report.
• Targeted Tune-Ups: Boiler, lighting, and HVAC system assessments tailored to the building type.

These incentives reward proactive maintenance that improves performance, reduces repair costs, and boosts occupant comfort.

Solar PV Incentives

Businesses installing solar PV in 2025 can earn up to $25,000 in incentives. All systems earn $50 per kW (DC), and agricultural producers are eligible for a matching bonus up to $10,000. To qualify:

• Install at a commercial or multifamily site
• Choose equipment from the approved list
• Ensure proper system orientation and shading levels

Incentives are capped at 500 kWDC per system and require trade ally installation.

Top Incentives by Category

To help businesses prioritize projects, here are the three most lucrative incentives in several equipment categories.

HVAC

1. Electric Chiller – Air or Water Cooled: Up to $125 per ton efficiency delta.
2. High Turndown Burners: $15 per boiler HP (up to 50% of cost).
3. Direct-Fired Makeup Air Units (VAV): $0.50 per CFM for variable systems.

Lighting

1. Exterior LED Area Fixture with Controls: Up to $250 per fixture.
2. LED High/Low Bay Fixtures: Up to $150 per unit.
3. Interior Troffers (2’x4′): Up to $30 per fixture.

Refrigeration

1. Reach-In Refrigerated Cases with Doors: $120 per linear foot.
2. Install Doors on Open Multideck Cases: $80 per linear foot.
3. ECM Motors in Case Equipment: $50 per motor.

Compressed Air

1. Compressed Air Heat Recovery: $70 per HP (up to 50% of cost).
2. Compressed Air Load Shifting: $250 per HP shifted.
3. VSD Compressors: $60 per HP.

Boiler Tune-Ups

Focus on Energy offers $0.05 per MBh input for boiler tune-ups. With a quick payback (often under one year), this is a simple way to boost heating efficiency for schools, government buildings, and private facilities alike.

Take the Next Step

The 2025 Focus on Energy programs offer a powerful pathway for Wisconsin businesses to lower utility bills, extend equipment life, and achieve sustainability goals. Whether you’re investing in new systems or fine-tuning existing infrastructure, these incentives are designed to reduce financial barriers and accelerate return on investment.

Now is the time to assess your facilities, engage qualified Trade Allies, and align your capital planning with available rebates. With the right approach, energy efficiency can be a driver of operational success, not just an expense.

Incentive Rebate360 will guide you through the rebate process in order to maximize your savings. To contact us, call 480-653-8180, email [email protected], or schedule a call that fits your needs by clicking the button below!