Open
Retrofit Program
Last Update: December 16, 2025
ON, Canada
Financial incentives for energy efficiency upgrades reducing electricity use
Grant and Funding
At a glance
Funding available
Financing goals
No objectives are currently available
Eligible Funding
- Maximum amount : 250,000 $
- Up to 50% of project cost
Timeline
- Unspecified
Eligible candidates
Eligible Industries
- Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting
- Manufacturing
- Educational services
- Health care and social assistance
- Public administration
Location
- Ontario
Legal structures
- Non-profit
- Public or Parapublic institution
- For-profit business
Annual revenue
- All revenue ranges
Organisation size
- All organization sizes
Audience
- All groups
Non-profit candidates
Sector of operation
- All industries
Target group
- All the groups
Revenue structure
- All structures
Scope
- All dimensions
Overview
The Save on Energy Retrofit Program covers up to 50% of eligible project costs to help businesses reduce electricity use, lower energy costs, and cut greenhouse gas emissions through energy-efficiency upgrades. Eligible activities include Prescriptive and Custom retrofits such as solar photovoltaic systems, HVAC controls and redesign, motors and variable frequency drives, network lighting controls, chiller replacement, and other custom equipment retrofits.
Activities funded
- Energy-efficiency retrofit projects that deliver measurable, verifiable reductions in electricity use and peak demand.
- Installation of behind-the-meter solar photovoltaic systems to reduce on-site electricity demand.
- Upgrades or retrofits to HVAC and cooling systems (e.g., HVAC redesign, chiller replacement, computer room air conditioner upgrades).
- Lighting and lighting controls upgrades (including network lighting controls and horticulture lighting and controls).
- Industrial facility energy management system projects (installation of an Energy Management Information System, EMIS).
Eligibility
- The applicant must be an owner or lessee of an eligible building (commercial space, industrial facility, municipal/MUSH building, multi-residential building, or agricultural facility).
- If the applicant is a lessee, they must have the building owner’s consent or authorization to participate.
- The project must be an energy-efficiency upgrade in the building that delivers sustainable, measurable and verifiable reductions in electricity consumption and/or peak electricity demand.
- The project must fall under the program’s Prescriptive or Custom retrofit streams (i.e., eligible products/technologies supported by the program).
Who is eligible?
- Commercial businesses (commercial spaces)
- Industrial businesses (industrial facilities)
- Municipal and public-sector institutions (municipal buildings; universities, colleges, schools, hospitals)
- Multi-residential building owners/operators
- Agricultural businesses (agricultural facilities)
Eligible expenses
- Eligible project costs for energy-efficiency retrofit equipment and technologies (up to 50% of eligible costs).
- Eligible project costs for behind-the-meter solar photovoltaic installations (including microgeneration and small–medium generation projects), up to 50% of eligible costs.
- Eligible project costs for installing an Energy Management Information System (EMIS) in an industrial facility, up to 50% of eligible costs.
Eligible geographic areas
- Ontario (Save on Energy program administered by the Independent Electricity System Operator (IESO) in Toronto, Ontario).
- Eligible electricity-constrained areas (specific regions not listed in the provided information).
Selection criteria
- Project's ability to generate sustainable, measurable, and verifiable electricity reductions (consumption and/or peak demand).
How to apply
1
Check building eligibility
- Confirm you are an owner or lessee (with owner consent if leasing)
- Confirm your building type is eligible (commercial, industrial, MUSH, multi-residential, agricultural)
2
Select eligible project stream
- Identify an energy-efficiency project with measurable electricity savings
- Choose a stream: Prescriptive or Custom
3
Speak with program representative
- Contact a Save on Energy representative to confirm program fit
4
Create or access portal account
- Log in to Online IESO or sign up for an account
- Access the Retrofit application portal
5
Gather required documents
- Download required agreements and worksheets
- Review step-by-step guides and resources as needed
6
Complete the portal application
- Complete your application in the Retrofit portal
- Use portal guides to support accurate submission
Additional information
- The Retrofit Program is delivered through the Save on Energy initiative by the Independent Electricity System Operator (IESO).
- Incentives are offered through two streams: Prescriptive and Custom.
- For non-lighting measures, the Custom stream lists incentive rates of $1,800/kW of peak demand savings or $0.20/kWh of energy savings.
- A bonus offer is available that doubles incentives for most non-lighting projects in electricity-constrained areas (capped at 50%).
Contacts
retrofit@ieso.ca
1-844-303-5542
ON, Canada
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Frequently Asked Questions about the Retrofit Program Program
Here are answers to the most common questions about the Retrofit Program. This section explains what the program is, how much funding is available, eligibility requirements, application deadlines, and other important details to help you determine if this grant is right for your business.
What is the Retrofit Program?
How much funding can be received?
What expenses are eligible under Retrofit Program?
What is the deadline to apply?
Is the Retrofit Program a grant, loan, or tax credit?
Who are the financial supporters of the Retrofit Program?
Who is eligible for the Retrofit Program program?
Who can I contact for more information about the Retrofit Program?
Where is the Retrofit Program available?
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