PPEC Energy Advisor Peter Niagu, left, presents a $11,600 lighting rebate to SDI La Farga Operations Manager Jerry Evans, right.

Replacing old metal hallide lights with energy-efficient LED lights isn’t cheap — especially not in an 87,000-square-foot industrial facility. But thanks to Paulding Putnam Electric Cooperative’s Commercial and Industrial (C&I) Custom Lighting Program, companies receiving electricity from the co-op are eligible for rebates when making significant energy-efficient lighting upgrades.

New Haven, Indiana-based copper recycler SDI La Farga recently took advantage of this program, receiving an $11,600 check from PPEC after installing three new LED lights to replace two old metal hallide lights. In total, the company reduced its energy use by 14,500 watts — reducing the initial wattage by more than half.

With a rich history dating back to Spain in the early 1800s, today’s SDI La Farga provides “a highly efficient, easy-to-manage system for reclaiming processed copper, refining it, and providing new, high-quality copper products to customers in a variety of industries,” according to its website. The recycling aspect differentiates SDI from other copper companies, as SDI doesn’t take copper from the ground.

PPEC’s C&I Custom Lighting Program allows commercial and industrial members to apply for rebates toward energy-efficiency lighting projects, handing over a max contribution of $15,000 per project. Participating members who meet the requirements of the program are eligible to receive up to two rebates, which may not exceed 50 percent of each project’s total cost (excluding labor).

Pre-approval is required by sending an application to PPEC Energy Advisor Peter Niagu at pniagu@ppec.coop. To learn more about the program, visit www.ppec.coop/rebate-programs or give our office a call.