Cash for Kilowatts

We’ll give you cash for every kilowatt!

Looking to save money at your public agency facility while becoming more energy-efficient? Look no further than I-REN's Cash for Kilowatts incentive program!

This exciting opportunity helps public agencies take control of energy usage. Here's how it works: for every kilowatt-hour of energy your energy efficiency project saves, we’ll give you up to $2 in incentives to offset your project costs. That's real cash back for making smart energy choices!

Max Incentives - This Year Only!

To maximize your cash back, get started now! While we usually reserve our highest incentive rates for projects at emergency, cooling, and resilience centers, if you submit your incentive application before the end of 2025, we will automatically give you our highest incentive rates. 

Contact our friendly and knowledgeable team at info@iren.gov to get started on the perfect energy-saving solution for your facility now!


What makes Cash for Kilowatts so great?

Financial Boost

Cash for Kilowatts eases the financial burden of energy projects. Every dollar saved means resources available to reinvest in your community.

Focus on Critical Facilities

Emergency, cooling, and resilience centers play a vital role in keeping us safe and comfortable. We offer double the incentives for these facilities!

All About Results

Whether it’s HVAC replacements, lighting, controls, or another energy efficiency project type, you’ll likely be eligible for incentives.

How much can Cash for Kilowatts help you save?

2025 Incentives

*This sample project assumes the facility is 65,000 square feet and consumes 600,000 kWh annually.

Incentive Rates

I-REN’s Cash for Kilowatts incentives pay agencies based on how much their energy consumption is reduced (as seen on utility bills) after the energy efficiency project is completed. Payments are made in two installments. The first payment comes three months after construction is completed and provides 40% of the total incentive amount. The second payment comes 12 months after construction is completed and provides the remaining 60% of the total incentive.

Table 1 below lists our base incentive rates and Table 2 details our incentive kickers. This can be confusing, but you can always email us for information on what this all means for your energy project.

Table 1: Base Incentive Rates

Energy SavingsBase Incentive Rate
kWh$0.50
kW$200.00
therms$1.00

Table 2: Incentive Kickers

Total Savings PercentageIncentive RateCritical/Cooling/ Resilience Center Rate
Up to 15%$0.50 per kWh$1.00 per kWh
16 to 30%$0.60 per kWh$1.20 per kWh
31 to 50%$0.70 per kWh$1.40 per kWh
Over 50%$1.00 per kWh$2.00 per kWh


Projects will receive double the incentive if the project occurs at a critical emergency facility, cooling center, or resilience center.

Important Definitions

  • Cooling center: Designated facility where the community can go to cool down during extreme heat days.
  • Critical emergency center: Facility identified as a place from which leaders can coordinate and direct emergency efforts, e.g., emergency operations center.
  • Resilience center: Facility where community can receive shelter and resources during climate and other emergencies and/or services and programming that strengthen the community's ability to withstand disasters.