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Retrofit Program: Custom Stream
Energy-efficiency incentives for Ontario businesses
Last Update: June 29, 2026
Funding available
Up to 50% of project cost
Timeline
- Closing date : June 30, 2026
Location
Ontario, Canada
Overview
The Retrofit program supports commercial, industrial and institutional participants in Ontario with incentives for energy-efficiency upgrades. Eligible measures include solar PV, HVAC, lighting controls, data centre equipment, compressed air systems, and industrial upgrades.
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Opportunity Score
Moderate potential, but conditions must align.
At a glance
Funding available
Financing goals
- Increase performance through digital transformation
- Implement environmental initiatives
- Increase operational productivity
Eligible Funding
- Up to 50% of project cost
Timeline
- Closing date : June 30, 2026
Eligible candidates
Eligible Industries
- All industries
Location
- Ontario
Legal structures
- For-profit business
Annual revenue
- All revenue ranges
Organisation size
- All organization sizes
Audience
- All groups
Next Steps
1
Determine your project
2
Validate your eligibility
Activities funded
- Retrofitting existing buildings with lighting, network lighting controls, horticultural lighting, HVAC, compressed air, motors, VFDs, and other equipment
- Solar photovoltaic systems that displace load and reduce demand on the grid
- New measures may be submitted for consideration to be added to the Retrofit program as a prescriptive measure
Documents Needed
- Itemized invoice
- Proof of payment
- Proof of disposal and/or decommissioning
- Updated specification sheets, worksheets, supporting calculations and other documents
Official resources
Program guide
Application form
Eligibility
Who is eligible?
- Commercial, industrial and institutional participants
- Building owners or lessees of commercial spaces
- Stakeholders and other interested parties may submit suggestions for new prescriptive measures by email
Who is not eligible
- Customers may not participate in both the Retrofit program and the Instant Discounts program for the same project.
- Lighting being installed in new buildings is not eligible for the incentive.
- Retrofit program participants must not accept the Save on Energy Instant Discounts program incentive from participating distributors when purchasing lighting measures.
Eligible expenses
- Material, labour and disposal costs
Ineligible Costs and Activities
- Do not include costs not directly associated with the project
Eligible geographic areas
- Ontario
How to apply
- Contact your local distribution company (LDC) to discuss the connection process and the allowable maximum capacity of the solar PV system.
- Sign up for a Retrofit Portal account, if you do not already have an account.
- Complete the worksheet and submit a Retrofit application for review through the Save on Energy Retrofit portal.
- Receive approval to connect from your LDC and install your project.
- Receive approval from Save on Energy for your post-project Retrofit application and Retrofit incentive invoice.
Processing and Agreement
- During the review process, invoices assist with verifying the measures installed and checking for eligible project costs in accordance with the program requirements.
- If any required information is missing from an invoice, an email confirmation containing the missing information submitted with the application documents is acceptable.
- The invoice needs to be addressed and billed to the Applicant.
- The invoice dates indicate when binding agreements were entered into and can help verify eligibility.
Additional information
- Most lighting measures previously available as part of the Retrofit program are now offered through the Save on Energy Instant Discounts Program.
- Incentives for the Industrial EMIS are funded by Natural Resources Canada (NRCan) as part of its Green Industrial Facilities and Manufacturing Program.
- Applications containing measures that will have their incentives reduced on June 30, 2026, and that are submitted before June 30, 2026, will be honoured based on the incentives at the time of application submission.
Contacts
Frequently Asked Questions about the Retrofit Program: Custom Stream Program
What is the Retrofit Program: Custom Stream?
The Retrofit program supports commercial, industrial and institutional participants in Ontario with incentives for energy-efficiency upgrades. Eligible measures include solar PV, HVAC, lighting controls, data centre equipment, compressed air systems, and industrial upgrades.
How much funding can be received?
Retrofit Program: Custom Stream Funds up to 50% of admissible expenses.
Who is eligible for the Retrofit Program: Custom Stream program?
To be eligible for the Retrofit Program: Custom Stream program, you must:
Commercial, industrial and institutional participants may apply for behind-the-meter solar installations under the Prescriptive Retrofit stream.
Solar PV must be mounted on new or existing building rooftop(s).
Building owners or lessees of commercial spaces are eligible, and lessees must have owner’s consent or authorization to participate.
What expenses are eligible under Retrofit Program: Custom Stream?
Retrofitting existing buildings with lighting, network lighting controls, horticultural lighting, HVAC, compressed air, motors, VFDs, and other equipment
Solar photovoltaic systems that displace load and reduce demand on the grid
New measures may be submitted for consideration to be added to the Retrofit program as a prescriptive measure
Who can I contact for more information about the Retrofit Program: Custom Stream?
You can contact Save on Energy (SOE) by email at retrofit@ieso.ca or by phone at 1-844-303-5542.
Where is the Retrofit Program: Custom Stream available?
The Retrofit Program: Custom Stream program is available the province of Ontario.
Is the Retrofit Program: Custom Stream a grant, loan, or tax credit?
Retrofit Program: Custom Stream is a Grant and Funding