Brillion Identifies Strategies for U.S. Utilities to Boost Energy Efficiency Program Participation Amidst Enrollment Gaps
Brillion reports that many U.S. utility energy efficiency programs are behind on their 2026 enrollment goals, often due to a 'completion problem' rather than a 'demand problem.' The cessation of federal tax credits (25C and 25D) for efficiency upgrades and home solar at the end of 2025 is cited as a contributing factor, removing a key selling point for contractors and utilities. The primary reasons for enrollment gaps include manual program administration, rebate payments getting stuck, and customers abandoning applications partway through due to complex processes. Brillion suggests that utilities can close this gap by targeting customers who have already shown interest, personalizing outreach based on individual home and bill data, and optimizing the timing of promotions to coincide with periods of high energy consumption. Additionally, simplifying application processes, automating follow-ups for missing documents, and tracking enrollment weekly by program and channel are crucial steps.
