JCP&L Direct Install: A Guide for Business Owners
JCP&L's Direct Install program helps eligible New Jersey businesses upgrade aging lighting, HVAC, controls and refrigeration. Administered by Willdan, the program offers incentives that may cover up to 80% of eligible installed energy-saving measure costs. The actual contribution depends on your project, customer tier and program approval—not every upgrade receives the maximum.
What the program covers
Eligible measures may include:
- LED lighting, fixtures, retrofits and occupancy sensors
- HVAC upgrades and eligible heating and cooling improvements
- Smart thermostats and equipment controls
- Commercial refrigeration and refrigeration controls
- Motors, variable frequency drives, food-service equipment and efficient water heating
Equipment must meet current program requirements. Incentive rates and caps vary by measure and customer tier; a maximum program percentage is not a quote for your facility.
Who it's designed for
The current Energy Save NJ Direct Install website lists commercial accounts with average annual demand of 300 kW or less in JCP&L's New Jersey electric service territory. Warehouses, manufacturing facilities, retail stores, offices and self-storage properties may be candidates. Demand, equipment, customer category and other program rules affect eligibility and incentives. The program administrator confirms the requirements for your account and building.
How the process works
Free facility assessment
The program offers a no-cost on-site energy assessment through Willdan or a participating program contractor to identify eligible equipment and upgrade opportunities.
Proposal and incentive review
Review the recommended measures, proposed incentive and your remaining cost before deciding. Required applications and program approvals are coordinated before work proceeds.
Installation
A participating program contractor schedules and installs approved measures around your operations. High Point helps coordinate next steps with the program team.
Verification and incentive
Required project documentation and any program verification are completed. The approved incentive is applied according to program terms; confirm the final customer share and payment arrangement in your proposal.
What it costs
FirstEnergy and Energy Save NJ describe incentives of up to 70% or 80% of eligible installed measure costs. The detailed incentive table includes lower lighting rates and measure-specific caps, so the maximum does not apply to every project. Your equipment, savings, customer tier and program approval determine the contribution; your business pays the remaining share. We help you understand the written proposal before you commit. Financing, where available and approved, spreads payments—it does not make a project free.
Why work with High Point
High Point helps JCP&L business customers through the Direct Install program. We help you understand upgrade options, review the proposed incentives and your share of costs, and coordinate next steps with the program administrator or participating contractors.
Frequently asked questions
Who runs JCP&L's Direct Install program?
Willdan implements the program for JCP&L. High Point provides customer guidance and helps coordinate next steps with the program team.
Is Direct Install free?
The program offers a no-cost assessment. Installation is not universally free: approved incentives offset eligible costs, and your business pays the remaining share. Your written proposal should explain both amounts before you decide.
Do I need to be a JCP&L customer?
Yes. This guide concerns commercial accounts in JCP&L's New Jersey electric service territory. The current administrator website lists average annual demand of 300 kW or less, subject to the program's account and facility review.
Can a warehouse or manufacturing building qualify?
Commercial and industrial facilities may qualify, including warehouses, manufacturing, retail, offices and self-storage. Building type alone does not establish eligibility; demand, equipment and current program requirements also matter.
What if my building is over the demand limit?
Other JCP&L efficiency programs may be available. We can help review relevant options rather than assuming your building is ineligible for every program.
Official program sources
View JCP&L's Direct Install program on Energy Save NJ (opens in a new tab)- FirstEnergy / JCP&L: business programs, eligible equipment and incentive overview (opens in a new tab)
- Energy Save NJ: no-cost assessment and Direct Install measures (official PDF) (opens in a new tab)
- Energy Save NJ: current measure-specific incentive table and customer tiers (opens in a new tab)
Program requirements, incentive rates, caps and funding are set by JCP&L and its program administrator and may change. Last reviewed: October 2026. Official sources are checked during the production build.